The effect of an intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection for acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

Korean J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar;23(1):59-61. doi: 10.3341/kjo.2009.23.1.59. Epub 2009 Mar 9.

Abstract

The purpose of this case report is to evaluate the visual outcome of an intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection (IVTA) as a treatment for a patient with acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). A 65-year-old male patient with severe visual loss due to acute NAION was treated with 4 mg/0.1 mL IVTA. Fundus examination and measurements of the patient's best-corrected visual acuity and visual field were performed before and after the injection at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The best-corrected visual acuity changed from 0.05 before the injection to 0.16 at 2 weeks, 0.3 at 1 month, and 0.4 at 3 months and at the final visit. Optic disc swelling had markedly decreased at 1 week postoperatively and disappeared at 2 weeks after the injection. The clinical course of this patient suggests that an IVTA may be effective in increasing visual acuity following an acute NAION. A large randomized controlled trial is needed to assess the efficacy of IVTA as a treatment for NAION.

Keywords: Best-corrected visual acuity; Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection (IVTA); Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION); Optic disc edema.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Injections
  • Male
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic / drug therapy*
  • Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic / pathology
  • Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic / physiopathology
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide / administration & dosage*
  • Visual Acuity
  • Visual Fields
  • Vitreous Body

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Triamcinolone Acetonide