Trans-Tenon's retrobulbar triamcinolone infusion for myopic choroidal neovascularization.

PURPOSE

To report the effects of trans-Tenon's retrobulbar injection of triamcinolone acetonide for subfoveal and juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) caused by pathological myopia.

METHODS

Eleven consecutive patients (11 eyes) with myopic CNV were treated with trans-Tenon's retrobulbar injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Each patient received a single injection. Evaluation included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurements, fluorescein fundus angiography, retinal oedema examined by optical coherence tomography (OCT), and retinal sensitivity using scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) at the initial examination and at 6 and 12 months after treatment.

RESULTS

At 6 months after treatment, BCVA had improved by at least two ETDRS lines in eight eyes, and remained unchanged in three eyes. No eye showed worsening of VA by two or more ETDRS lines. At 12 months, BCVA had improved by at least two ETDRS lines in 10 eyes and remained unchanged in only one eye. The size of the CNV decreased in all patients after treatment. Fluorescein fundus angiography revealed an absence of dye leakage in the late angiographic phase. Optical coherence tomography revealed decreased retinal oedema in all patients and SLO microperimetry revealed an increase in retinal sensitivity in seven eyes, at both 6 and 12 months after treatment. Chorioretinal atrophy developed around the CNV in 10 eyes at 6 months and in all eyes at 12 months after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Trans-Tenon's retrobulbar injection of triamcinolone acetonide for CNV resulting from pathological myopia appears to be relatively safe and to have a good visual outcome, although a longterm follow-up study in a larger series of patients is necessary.