Home / Medical Services / Intravitreal Triamcinolone
- Diabetic Retinopathy- Treatment Modalities
- What is intraviteral triamcinolone acetonide(IVTA) injection ?
Triamcinolone acetonide is a steroid which helps in decreasing inflammation and swelling in various conditions . Intravitreal triamcinolone is an injection of this steroid drug into the vitreous cavity of your eye. The aim of this injection is to decrease the fluid accumulated in the macula, decrease the swelling and hope for some vision improvement. This option is advised when the condition is not considered suitable for gentle laser treatment.
- Procedure
It is given as an injection in the operation theatre through the white part of your eye. The injection procedure itself 
takes few minutes after anaesthetising your eye and it usually feels like a tiny prick. Your eye will remain patched for few hours and you would be examined later on to ensure that the procedure went of well. Some amount of redness is expected and it usually disappears in 7-10 days time.
- What care should I take after the injection?
- 1. After the injection you usually notice black swirls in the vision, so you are advised sitting position for a day which allows the drug to settle in the lower part of eye.
- 2. Eye hygiene should be maintained.
- 3. Topical antibiotic drops for 4-5 days.
- 4. Seek advice if there is excessive pain, redness or discharge.
- Benefits:
Most of the patients will notice some improvement in vision gradually with in a month. This could also make the condition more amenable to subsequent laser treatment. Generally this improvement is temporary if the diabetes is not controlled simultaneously. Repeated injections may required.
- Risks:
The injection will put the eye pressure up for a few hours. It is therefore riskier if you have glaucoma, but this is generally not a major problem. Extra eye drops or tablets are given if the pressure stays up. Rarely there are chances of major complications like retinal detachment and infection.
Acknowledgements
Last Reviewed by Dr Anil Patil 16th April,2008
