Elevation of Intraocular Pressure After Intravitreal Injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide in Taiwanese Patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and timing of elevation in intraocular pressure (IOP) after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA). This was a retrospective observational case series that included 52 eyes from 52 patients. All patients received intravitreal injection with 4 mg of triamcinolone acetonide. Significant IOP elevation was defined as pressure greater than 21 mmHg. There were 26 males and 26 females included in this study. The mean age was 59.4 years. The mean IOP at baseline and postoperative mean highest IOP were 14.6 mmHg and 21.5 mmHg, respectively. There were 19 (36.5%) patients who experienced significant IOP elevation at a mean of 26.0 days after IVTA. IOP was well-controlled by topical antiglaucoma medication in 17 of these 19 patients. IOP elevation after intravitreal injection with 4 mg of triamcinolone acetonide is not a rare finding. This phenomenon usually starts approximately 1 month after IVTA. Patients considering this treatment should be fully informed of this known adverse effect.