Comparative study on efficacy of a combination therapy of triamcinolone acetonide administration with and without vitrectomy for macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion.

Aims: To compare the efficacy of a combination therapy of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) administration with and without vitrectomy in eyes with macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion over a 1-year period. Methods: A retrospective, case-control study was conducted in 15 eyes of 15 patients with macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion. Eight eyes underwent simultaneous intravitreal and posterior sub-Tenon capsule injections of TA (TA-injected group). Seven eyes underwent vitrectomy with intravitreal or simultaneous posterior sub-Tenon capsule injection of TA (vitrectomy with TA group). Macular thickness and visual acuity were measured before and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the therapy. Results: Twelve months after the therapy, mean visual acuity improved significantly from baseline in both the TA-injected (p = 0.0069) and vitrectomy with TA groups (p = 0.0145). Macular thickness also improved significantly in both the TA-injected (p = 0.0065) and vitrectomy with TA groups (p = 0.0058). At 12 months after the therapy, there was no significant difference in visual acuity and macular thickness between the two groups (p = 0.3308 and 0.3711, respectively). At the early postoperative stage ( 1 and 3 months after the therapy), the central macular thickness in the TA-injected group was significantly less than that in the vitrectomy with TA group (p = 0.0140 and 0.0275, respectively); there was no significant difference in visual acuity between the two groups (p = 0.0796 and 0.3753, respectively). Conclusion: TA injection without vitrectomy was as effective as a combination therapy of TA injection with vitrectomy. Copyright (C) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel