AIM: To compare the clinical efficacy and complications of intravitreal injection of 1mg, 2mg and 4mg triamcinolone acetonide(TA)in the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion, and to explore effective and safe injection dose.

METHODS: Totally 62 patients(62 eyes)with venous obstructive macular edema were divided into 1mg intravitreal injection of TA(IVTA)group, 2mg IVTA group and 4mg IVTA group, including 18 cases in group 1mg, 22 cases in 2mg group, and 22 cases in 4mg group according to the dosage of intravitreous. The intravitreal injection of TA as the dosage of 1mg/0.025mL, 2mg /0.05mL, 4mg/0.1mL were taken. At 1, 3 and 6mo after the injection, the items including best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central macular thickness center(CMT), intraocular pressure and complications were examined and compared between the three groups.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in age, sex, course of disease, BCVA, CMT and intraocular pressure in the three groups before injection(P>0.05). In 1mg IVTA group, BCVA and CMT were improved 1 and 3mo after treatment, compared with those before treatment(P<0.05). In 2mg IVTA group and 4mg IVTA group, BCVA and CMT were superior to those before treatment at 1, 3 and 6mo after injection(P<0.05). At 3 and 6mo after injected, there was no difference in BCVA and CMT between 2mg IVTA group and 4mg IVTA group(P>0.05), which was better than that of 1mg IVTA group(P<0.05). There were 2 cases, 6 cases in 2mg IVTA group and 4mg IVTA group had elevated intraocular pressure respectively(≥22mmHg)and beta receptor blockers were used to reduce the intraocular pressure. Except 1 cases in need of antihypertensive drug, the intraocular pressure of the rest patients were normal(less than 21mmHg)in 6mo follow-up period.

CONCLUSION: The 2mg triamcinolone acetonide may be a suitable dose of intravitreous intravitreal injection for the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion.