Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in patients with macular oedema due to branch retinal vein occlusion:: a pilot study

Purpose: To evaluate treatment of macular oedema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. Methods: In a prospective case series, nine patients with macular oedema due to BRVO received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Examination included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for distance and reading, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, fluorescein angiography and high resolution imaging by optical coherence tomography, preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Results: Preoperative mean BCVAs were 1.3 +/- 0.8 for distance vision, and 1.1 +/- 0.3 for reading acuity, respectively. A significant improvement in reading acuity was observed until 1 month (0.7 +/- 0.4, p = 0.02). No significant reduction in mean macular thickness was observed. Conclusions: Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide led to a significant improvement in mean VA in patients with macular oedema due to BRVO. However, the significant effect was not permanent and persisted for only 1 month.