Effects of intravitreal triamcinolone injection on macular edema and visual prognosis in central retinal vein occlusion.

AIM: To determine the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone injection on macular edema and the visual prognosis in cases with CRVO. METHODS: Eyes with CRVO were classified as ischemic or nonischemic according to extend of retinal capillary nonperfusion. The patients received intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection (4 mg/0.1 ml). A complete ophthalmologic evaluation together with flourescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed for each patient at presentation and at follow-up visits. The functional and anatomical results of both groups were assessed separately. RESULTS: A total of 22 eyes (11 ischemic, 11 nonischemic) were included in the study. Mean duration of symptoms before steroid injection was 4.9+/-5.5 months. Mean follow-up time was 11.5+/-2.4. All the eyes completed at least 9 months of examination. At least 3 lines of visual acuity increase using snellen visual acuity chart was observed in 81.8% of the eyes in nonischemic group, while only in 18.2% of the eyes in the ischemic group. In ischemic group, the mean foveal thickness was 766+/-320.7 microm at presentation, which significantly decreased to 441.7+/-166.9 microm at 9th month. In nonischemic group, the mean foveal thickness was 667+/-223 microm at presentation, which significantly decreased to 320+/-175.5 at 9th month. Significant IOP elevation was observed in 8 (36.4%) of the eyes, 75% of which could be controlled with medical treatment. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal triamcinolone injection may be a promising and effective method for the treatment of macular edema associated with CRVO. Although anatomical results are similar in both groups, functional results are better in non-ischemic CRVO cases.