Argon laser trabeculoplasty in triamcinolone acetonide induced ocular hypertension refractory to maximal medical treatment.

PURPOSE: To report two cases of intraocular hypertension after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (iTAA) that were refractory to maximal medical therapy and were successfully treated with argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT).

METHODS

Two patients with history of primary open angle glaucoma were treated with intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide for chronic macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion. Both patients (Case 1 after 2 months and Case 2 after 5 days) developed intraocular hypertension that did not respond to maximal medical therapy. Despite medical therapy, intraocular pressure (IOP) was 45 mmHg in Case 1 and between 34 and 37 mmHg in Case 2. ALT was performed in the inferior 180 degrees angle using the following parameters: 50 microm size, 700 mW, 0.50 sec, 100 spots.

RESULTS

In both patients IOP returned to normal level a few days after ALT.

CONCLUSIONS

ALT seems to be effective at reducing IOP in patients with intraocular hypertension secondary to iTAA that does not respond to maximal medical treatment.