Complications and safety profile of posterior subtenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide.

Purpose: Posterior subtenon injection (PSTI) of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) is one of the delivery methods for the treatment of posterior uveitis, diabetic macular edema, and cystoid macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusions. The aim of this investigation was to assess the rates of various complications associated with PSTI and to determine which factors are associated with the development of complications.

Methods: This investigation was a retrospective interventional case series, and one retinal specialist from 2005 to 2007 conducted all of the procedures. Patients were followed up for a mean time of 11.9 +/- 5.4 months after receiving 40 mg (1.0 mL) of nonfiltered TA and all complications associated with the injection procedure or with TA itself were noted.

Results: A total of 159 eyes in 158 patients were treated by PSTI of TA. Of 159 eyes, 145 eyes (91.2%) were injected once, 13 eyes (8.2%) were injected twice, and one eye (0.6%) was injected three times. The mean age of the 158 patients was 61.6 +/- 9.5 years. Eighteen eyes (11.3%) required glaucoma medication due to increased intraocular pressure (IOP) after injection. In addition, cataracts in three eyes (2.1%) progressed with biomicroscopic findings, as compared with the fellow eyes. There were no cases of mechanical injury, infection or ulceration of any part of eye, and eyelid complications. A conjunctival cyst at the injection site developed in one eye.

Conclusions: In this study, PSTI of TA resulted in no severe complications such as endophthalmitis or retinal detachment, and a relatively less risk of IOP complications and cataract progression. PSTI of TA is an extremely safe procedure and can be repeatedly applied to an eye.