Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for treatment of sympathetic ophthalmia

PURPOSE: To report on the treatment of long-standing sympathetic ophthalmia by intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. DESIGN: Clinical interventional case report. METHODS: A 47-year-old patient who suffered from sympathetic ophthalmia and who was treated with intensive systemic immunosuppressive therapy received an intravitreal injection of 25 mg of triamcinolone acetonide. Before injection, intraocular pressure ranged between 5 and 8 mm Hg; visual acuity measured 6/20. RESULTS: Within the first 4 weeks after the injection, visual acuity improved from 6/20 to 6/12, intraocular pressure increased to values between 10 mm Hg and 13 mm Hg, and intraocular flare measurements decreased by approximately 50%. Systemic immunosuppressive treatment was reduced to 10 mg prednisolone/day at the first postoperative day and could not be stopped due to an adrenal insufficiency. Three months after the injection, visual acuity regressed to 6/20, intraocular pressure was reduced to values between 5 mm Hg and 10 mm Hg, and anterior chamber flare increased. The patient received a second intravitreal injection of 25 mg of triamcinolone acetonide after which intraocular pressure increased again to values between 10 mm and 13 mm Hg, and anterior chamber flare decreased. After the injection, perimetry revealed a marked enlargement of the originally constricted visual field with a decrease in mean visual field defect from approximately 11 dB to values lower than 7 dB. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide may be an additional tool in the treatment for sympathetic ophthalmia. (C) 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.