Comparative study on efficacy of a combination therapy of triamcinolone acetonide administration with and without vitrectomy for macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion

Ophthalmic Res. 2007;39(4):207-12. doi: 10.1159/000104682. Epub 2007 Jun 26.

Abstract

Aims: To compare the efficacy ofa combination therapy of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) administration with and without vitrectomy in eyes with macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion over a 1-year period.

Methods: A retrospective, case-control study was conducted in 15 eyes of 15 patients with macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion. Eight eyes underwent simultaneous intravitreal and posterior sub-Tenon capsule injections of TA (TA-injected group). Seven eyes underwent vitrectomy with intravitreal or simultaneous posterior sub-Tenon capsule injection of TA (vitrectomy with TA group). Macular thickness and visual acuity were measured before and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the therapy.

Results: Twelve months after the therapy, mean visual acuity improved significantly from baseline in both the TA-injected (p = 0.0069) and vitrectomy with TA groups (p = 0.0145). Macular thickness also improved significantly in both the TA-injected (p = 0.0065) and vitrectomy with TA groups (p = 0.0058). At 12 months after the therapy, there was no significant difference in visual acuity and macular thickness between the two groups (p = 0.3308 and 0.3711, respectively). At the early postoperative stage (1 and 3 months after the therapy), the central macular thickness in the TA-injected group was significantly less than that in the vitrectomy with TA group (p = 0.0140 and 0.0275, respectively); there was no significant difference in visual acuity between the two groups (p = 0.0796 and 0.3753, respectively).

Conclusion: TA injection without vitrectomy was as effective as a combination therapy of TA injection with vitrectomy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Injections
  • Intraocular Pressure / drug effects
  • Macula Lutea / pathology
  • Macular Edema / complications
  • Macular Edema / drug therapy*
  • Macular Edema / physiopathology
  • Macular Edema / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recurrence
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / complications*
  • Retreatment
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide / administration & dosage
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide / adverse effects
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide / therapeutic use*
  • Visual Acuity
  • Vitrectomy* / adverse effects
  • Vitreous Body

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide