Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection in blind painful eyes: Intraocular steroids as a treatment for blind painful red eyes

Phthisis bulbi results from different ocular conditions. We evaluated intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide as a treatment option in blind painful eyes. Thirty-one patients with unilateral phthisis were randomly divided into two groups. Group A received 0.3 ml (12.5 mg) triamcinolone acetonide intravitreally and Group B 0.3 ml balanced salt solution after retrobulbar anesthesia. Treatment success was assessed by subjective response to pain and clinically by biomicroscopic evaluation of conjunctival congestion. Tonometry was done before and after treatment. Follow-ups were at 24 hours, 3 weeks, 3 and 6 months, and 1 and 2 years. Throughout the two-year follow-up, only two patients in Group A reported pain after the procedure and were retreated, one at week 4 and the other at week 7. Conjunctival congestion was significantly lower in Group A. Two patients with hypotony before treatment had normal tension after triamcinolone. All Group B patients were reinjected with triamcinolone because pain continued after balanced salt solution injection. No severe complications were found. Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide may be effective and safe for treating blind painful eyes.