The Effect of Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide on Cystoid Macular Edema

Purpose: To investigate the use of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide for the treatment of cystoid macular edema (CME) of various causes. Mothods: Thirty one patients with CME were participated in this study. Six patients were with diabetic retinopathy, seven were with branch retinal vein occlusion, six were with central retinal vein occlusion, seven were with uveitis, and five were with tractional membrane. At first and third month after injection of triamcinolone acetate (4 mg/0.1cc), best corrected visual acuity and thickness of macula by OCT-3000 (Zeiss) were measured. The results were analyzed by paired t-test (SAS 8.0 version). Results: Average best corrected visual acuity was 0.17 0.08, and average macular thickness was 524122 TEX>$\mu$m before injection. At first month after injection, the results were 0.330.12 and 309150 TEX>$\mu$m. At third month after injection, the results were 0.380.15 and 304156 TEX>$\mu$m. Eventhough transient increase of intraocular pressure happened in one eye, there were no complications affecting visual acuity. Injection of triamcinolone acetonide was effective especially in the patients with branch retinal vein occlusion and uveitis. Conclusions: Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide for the treatment of CME of various causes showed improvement of visual acuity and anatomic recovery. Study with longer observation and more participants may be necessary for further evaluation.