Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide on macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Design: A prospective noncomparative interventional case series.

Patients & Methods: Fourteen eyes of 14 patients with macular edema associated with BRVO were enrolled. In all patients after thorough ophthalmic examination, 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide was injected intravitreally, then all eyes followed at 1 day, 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months. Ten eyes were followed until 9 months. Central macular thickness was measured with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) at baseline and 3 months after injection. Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) and 1-mm central macular thickness were main outcome measurements.

Results: Mean baseline BCVA: 1.33±0.52: logarithm of Minimum Angle of Resolution (logMAR) improved to 0.81±0.56 (P=0.002) at 1 month, 0.65±0.48 (P=0.001) at 3 months, but decreased to 0.85±0.44 (P=0.005) at 6 months. In 10 eyes of 14 eyes that were followed for 9 months, mean BCVA decreased to 1.20±0.48 (P=0.171). A 32% reduction of pre injection value of 1 mm central foveal thickness observed at 3 months (565±199.58µm versus 383.78±145.70µm, P=0.001). Ocular hypertension was developed in six patients that was controlled by topical antiglaucoma medication. Cataract developed or progressed in two eyes.

Conclusion: Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide can decrease macular edema and improve visual acuity in BRVO in short term but further study is required with control group and longer follow up to clarify the benefits and risks of this treatment.

Iranian Journal of Ophthalmology 2006; 19(2):1-5