The effects of posterior subtenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide in patients with intermediate uveitis.

PURPOSE

Periocular injection of corticosteroids is a common treatment for vision loss in patients with intermediate uveitis. However, this treatment has the potential for serious side effects. We sought to determine the effects of such injections in a series of patients.

METHODS

We reviewed charts of 20 consecutive patients (20 eyes, 43 injections) who had received posterior subtenon injections of triamcinolone acetonide for treatment of intermediate uveitis. We collected data on visual outcome and side effects.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 23.5 months (range, one to 50 months). Snellen visual acuity improved by at least two lines in 12 (67%) of 18 patients who were examined after initial injection. Median time to improvement was three weeks. Patients with visual improvement had a median age of 29.0 years, compared with 41.5 years for nonresponders (P = .024). There was a weak association between response to treatment and a history of not smoking (P = .073) after correction for patient age. Increase of intraocular pressure (> 21 mm Hg) occurred in six patients (30%), with onset at a median of three weeks after initial injection; the median interval to peak increase (median, 32 mm Hg; range, 25 to 40 mm Hg) was 14 weeks after the injection.

CONCLUSIONS

A subtenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide appears to be an effective treatment for decreased vision associated with intermediate uveitis but may contribute to increase of intraocular pressure in some patients with this disorder.