Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for the treatment of cystoid macular edema secondary to Behcet disease

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in patients with cystoid macular edema (CME) associated with Behcet disease. DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: Ten eyes of 10 patients with CME from Behcet disease made up the study population. All eyes had persistent CME despite medical treatment for at least 2 months. Intravitreal injection of 4 mg (0.1 ml) of triamcinolone acetonide was offered to treat macular edema. The visual and anatomic responses were observed. RESULTS: At 1-month follow-up, a reduction in mean foveal thickness of 37.4%, from 416 mum to 260.5 mum, was attained. At 3-month follow-up, mean foveal thickness was 286.2 mum and at 6 months, 263.7 mum. No eyes had lost vision at 1 month, and eight eyes (80%) showed improvement in visual acuity. At 3-month and 6,month follow,up, three eyes (30%) remained stable and the other eyes had maintained the improved acuity. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide is a promising therapeutic method for CME from Behcet disease. (C) 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.