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Br J Ophthalmol 2008;92:810-813 doi:10.1136/bjo.2007.126227
  • Original Article
    • Clinical science

Comparison of 4 mg versus 20 mg intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injections

  1. A M Tammewar,
  2. L Cheng,
  3. O R Kayikcioglu,
  4. I A Falkenstein,
  5. I Kozak,
  6. M H Goldbaum,
  7. W R Freeman
  1. 1
    Joan and Irwin Jacobs Retina Center at the Shiley Eye Center, UCSD Department of Ophthalmology, La Jolla, California, USA
  1. Professor W R Freeman, Joan and Irwin Jacobs Retina Center, Shiley Eye Center, UCSD Department of Ophthalmology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; freeman{at}eyecenter.ucsd.edu
  • Accepted 5 March 2008
  • Published Online First 17 April 2008

Abstract

Aims: To compare the non-decanted (standard) 4 mg versus the decanted 20 mg intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) injections and to assess their effect on intraocular pressure (IOP).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 92 consecutive eyes, which received an intravitreal injection of either dose of triamcinolone acetonide, at a single retina centre. The change in IOP (elevation of at least 5 mm Hg from baseline or above 21 mm Hg) was analysed with a multivariate logistic analysis. The mean follow-up period in both groups was 27 weeks. A subgroup analysis comparing vitrectomised to non-vitrectomised eyes in both groups was also performed.

Results: Of the 92 eyes, 46% (23 of 51) in the 4 mg group versus 30% (12 of 41) in the 20 mg group had an IOP >21 mm of Hg (p = 0.14) after a mean follow-up period of 27 weeks. The vitrectomised eyes (3 of 24) in the 20 mg group had a significantly lower rate of IVTA induced IOP elevation than the non-vitrectomised eyes (9 of 17) (p = 0.013). The IOP elevation occurred significantly earlier in the 4 mg group (vitrectomised eyes 27 (SD 43) days and non-vitrectomised eyes 61 (52) days) than in the 20 mg group (vitrectomised eyes 104 (56) days and non-vitrectomised eyes 119 (82) days), independent of the vitreous status (vitrectomised p = 0.05 and non-vitrectomised p = 0.04). The mean value of initial high IOP in the non-vitrectomised eyes was higher in the 4 mg group than in the corresponding 20 mg group (p = 0.048).

Conclusion: Decanted 20 mg IVTA may not pose a significantly greater risk of IOP elevation than the 4 mg non-decanted IVTA.

Footnotes

  • Funding: This research was supported in part by unrestricted retina research funds from Jacobs Retina Center, La Jolla, CA (WRF and LC). AMT has received a travel grant from Rameshwardasji Birla Smarak Kosh, Medical Research Center, Bombay Hospital Avenue, Mumbai, India.

  • Competing interests: None.

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