Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To examine the effects of intravitreal injection of 4.0 mg triamcinolone acetonide on the visual and clinical course of exudative age-related macular degeneration.

METHODS:

A randomized clinical trial of a single injection of triamcinolone acetonide into the vitreous cavity of experimental eyes at baseline versus observation of untreated subjects was performed in 27 patients followed up for 6 months. Inclusion criteria included exudative age-related macular degeneration with subfoveal or occult choroidal neovascularization, and visual acuity between 20/40 and 20/400. Examination, acuity assessment, fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography were performed at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after enrollment. LogMAR visual acuity was compared between groups by a repeated measures analysis of variance model. Masked assessment of photographic studies was performed and groups were compared with Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS:

Visual acuity was significantly better in the treated group compared with control subjects at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.005). Fundus photography and angiography were more likely to show stability or improvement at 3 and 6 months in the treated group (P = 0.05). Intraocular pressure elevation was seen in 25% of treated patients, but was controlled with topical medications. Progression of cataract was more frequently seen in the treated group.

CONCLUSIONS:

Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide may provide short-term improvement in visual acuity and fundus findings in exudative macular degeneration. These findings must be considered preliminary and should be followed by multicenter, masked, placebo-controlled trials with long-term follow-up.

• Authors: R P Danis, T A Ciulla, L M Pratt, W Anliker
• Journal: Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.) (Retina) Vol. 20 Issue 3 Pg. 244-50 ( 2000) ISSN: 0275-004X [Print] United States
• PMID: 10872928 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Triamcinolone Acetonide

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Choroidal Neovascularization (prevention & control)
• Female
• Fluorescein Angiography
• Humans
• Injections
• Intraocular Pressure
• Macular Degeneration (drug therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pilot Projects
• Triamcinolone Acetonide (therapeutic use)
• Visual Acuity
• Vitreous Body