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° angle using the following parameters: 50 μm 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.