Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in patients with macular oedema due to central retinal vein occlusion

Purpose: To evaluate treatment of macular oedema due to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. Methods: In a prospective case series, 13 patients with macular oedema due to non-ischaemic CRVO received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Examination included assessment of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for distance and reading, measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), fluorescein angiography and high resolution imaging by optical coherence tomography, preoperatively and 1 week, 1 month, 3, 6 and 9 months postoperatively. Results: Preoperative mean BCVA was 0.9 +/- 0.4 for distance vision and 1.0 +/- 0.3 for reading acuity, respectively. A significant improvement in distance VA (0.5 +/- 0.3, p < 0.001) and reading acuity (0.7 +/- 0.3, p = 0.03) was observed until 3 months and 6 months, respectively. Mean macular thickness was significantly reduced until 9 months postoperatively. Conclusion: Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide led to a significant improvement in mean VA in patients with macular oedema due to CRVO. However, the significant effect was not permanent and persisted for a maximum of 6 months.