Subconjunctival injections of triamcinolone acetonide to treat uveitic macular edema

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide(TA) injections for treating uveitic macular edema(UME).METHODS: This retrospective case series study included patients with UME who received subconjunctival TA injections with a minimum follow-up period of 6 mo. The main outcome measure was central macular thickness(CMT). The secondary outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), recurrence rate and intraocular pressure(IOP).RESULTS: In total, 65 patients(80 eyes), mainly including idiopathic uveitis in 33 patients(50.77%) and VogtKoyanagi-Harada(VKH) syndrome in 19 patients(29.23%), were enrolled in this study. The mean CMT decreased from 457.6±173.0 μm at baseline to 325.9±176.8, 302.7±148.2, 332.2±177.3 and 270.6±121.6 μm at 1-, 2-, 3-and 6-months postinjection, respectively(all P<0.001). BCVA increased from log MAR 0.5±0.3 at baseline to log MAR 0.4±0.3, 0.4±0.3, 0.4±0.4 and 0.4±0.3 at the 1-, 2-, 3-and 6-months postinjection visits, respectively(all P<0.001). Twenty-one(21/80, 26.25%) eyes underwent relapse of UME within 6 mo. A total of 20/80(25%) eyes exhibited elevated IOPs, of which 13 eyes were controlled with topical IOP-lowering agents and 7 eyes underwent surgical removal of subconjunctival TA deposit.CONCLUSION: Subconjunctival TA injections appear to be safe and effective for UME.