AIM: To compare the efficiency of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide(TA)or general treatment for the treatment of macular edema in retinal vein occlusion.

METHODS: Seventy-five eyes of 75 patients with macular edema of retinal vein occlusion were diagnosed by examination of regular inspection, fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA)and optic coherence tomography(OCT). There were 31 patients in general treatment group and 44 patients in TA group. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regards to patient's age, duration of disease, intraocular pressure(IOP), best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central macular thickness(CMT)at baseline. Comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation was performed at baseline and at week 4 and 12 after treatment. Main outcome measures included IOP, BCVA and CMT by OCT.

RESULTS: Separate within-group analysis of showed significant reduction in CMT from baseline in TA group at week 12. The results showed significant improvement in BCVA in TA group and general treatment group. But no significant interaction between groups were observed of BCVA at week 4 and 12. There was a significant increase in IOP(>5mmHg)in the TA group when compared with the general treatment group at week 4, but no significant interaction between groups at week 12.

CONCLUSION: The result shows that general approach and intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide are well tolerated wiht a significant improvement in BCVA and decrease in macular edema in retinal vein occlusion. But we must be attention to the increased IOP after intravitreal injection of TA.