[Evaluation of visual function among patients with exudative AMD treated with an intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide].

Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the visual acuity, visual field, retinal bioelectrical function and fluorescein angiography (FA) results of patients with exudative AMD treated with an intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA).

Material And Methods: Visual acuity (Snellen chart), Humphrey automatic static perimetry (HASP) 30-2 W-W, mfERG were performed before, one month and three months after a single intravitreal injection of about 20 mg triamcinolone acetonide in 17 eyes of 17 patients (that did not meet the criteria for PDT). Fluorescein angiography was evaluated before and 3 months after treatment.

Results: There was no significant improvement in visual acuity after a month and three months after treatment when comparing to the initial examination. Although a slight improvement of 1-2 lines on Snellen chart was noted in individual cases. No significant changes were observed in static perimetry results after 3 months follow-up. In mfERG, there was a significant decrease in both, response density and P1 wave amplitude in fifth peripheral ring. In the rest of the rings, in comparison to the initial examination significant changes were not observed. In 76% of the analyzed eyes stabilization of CNV activity was noted in FA. In majority of eyes, the active CNV diameter did not change or was reduced and transformed into a scar.

Conclusions: Three months after an intravitreal injection oftriamcinolone acetonide, no significant improvement of visual functions was noted in the observed group of patients with exudative AMD. A decrease of leakage in FA and a lack of a significant decrease in visual function may lead to a conclusion that IVTA treatment may slow down the natural course of the disease.