Microperimetric changes after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection for macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide on macular function in cases of macular edema because of central retinal vein occlusion.

Methods: Twelve eyes of 12 patients with central retinal vein occlusion were included in this study. In each eye, at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection, logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity, macular sensitivity, fixation stability and fixation location by MP-1 microperimetry, and foveal thickness by optical coherence tomography were assessed.

Results: Patients' ages ranged from 50 to 75 years (mean +/- SD, 59 +/- 8 years). All patients were classified as nonischemic. At 1, 3, and 6 months, the mean foveal thickness had decreased from 453 +/- 108 microm to 254 +/- 40.3 microm, 297 +/- 90 microm, and 320 +/- 82 microm and the mean retinal sensitivity had increased from 5.5 +/- 3.3 dB to 9.4 +/- 3.5 dB, 7.8 +/- 3.3 dB, and 7.2 +/- 4.2 dB, respectively. At baseline, fixation was stable in one, relatively unstable in six, and unstable in five eyes. However, 6 months after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection, fixation was stable in 8, relatively unstable in 3, and unstable in one. At baseline, in eyes with macular edema, fixation location was predominantly central in 2, poor central in 4, and predominantly eccentric in 6. And 6 months after treatment, fixation location was predominantly central in 8, poor central in 3, and predominantly eccentric in 1.

Conclusion: In eyes with macular edema in central retinal vein occlusion, a short-term improvement in retinal sensitivity and fixation properties can be achieved by intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection.