Abstract

Aims To determine the outcome of treatment with subconjunctival triamcinolone acetate for non-necrotising anterior scleritis and to review the literature on this treatment.

Methods A retrospective, interventional case series of 12 patients who had failed systemic therapy, treated with 25 subconjunctival triamcinolone for non-necrotising anterior scleritis.

Results Complete resolution of symptoms and signs of scleral inflammation occurred after 23 out of the 25 injections administered. For the remaining two injections, it was necessary to increase oral corticosteroids to obtain complete resolution. No treated eye lost vision after subconjunctival triamcinolone therapy. No patient developed scleral necrosis after subconjunctival therapy. Four patients developed a rise in intraocular pressure after treatment. The mean follow-up was 9 months with a range of 1–20 months. Scleritis relapsed in 38% of eyes and required repeat subconjunctival triamcinolone therapy.

Conclusion This study provides evidence that subconjunctival triamcinolone therapy is an efficacious treatment with a prolonged duration of effect in selected patients with non-necrotising scleritis.