Intravitreal triamcinolone

Abstract

Background: To provide an update on the intravitreal use of triamcinolone acetonide. Methods: Review of literature regarding triamcinolone-related research. Results: After the introduction of bevacizumab and ranibizumab into clinical practice, intravitreal triamcinolone has lost its leading position as the drug most often injected intravitreally. Due to its properties as a long-acting steroid, triamcinolone has still been used for various conditions such as diffuse diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusions, pseudophakic cystoid macular edema, chronic prephthisical ocular hypotony and uveitis, and in combination with bevacizumab or ranibizumab. The complications of intravitreal triamcinolone therapy include secondary ocular hypertension in about 40% of the eyes injected, cataract and postoperative infectious or noninfectious endophthalmitis. Conclusions: Due to its widespread biological effects as a steroid and due to a relatively large therapeutic window, intravitreal triamcinolone has remained in clinical use for a variety of intraocular disorders, and it may be a promising candidate for intravitreal medical combination therapies. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.