Purpose: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide on visual acuity in branch retinal vein occlusion.

Methods: The prospective comparative nonrandomized clinical interventional study included 28 patients (28 eyes) with branch retinal vein occlusion. The study group consisting of 10 consecutive patients received an intravitreal injection of 20-25 mg of triamcinolone acetonide. The control group including 18 patients did not receive an intravitreal injection. The mean follow-up was 8.7+/-4.4 months.

Results: In the study group, mean visual acuity increased significantly (P=0.02) from 0.27+/-0.11 preoperatively to a best postoperative visual acuity of 0.45+/-0.27. Visual acuity measurements determined 1 month after the injection were significantly (P=0.027) higher than baseline values. Nine (90%) eyes gained in visual acuity, with six (60%) eyes showing an increase in visual acuity of at least two Snellen lines. In the ischaemic subgroup, visual acuity did not change significantly (0.18+/-0.18 to 0.13+/-0.04; P=0.66), while, in the nonischaemic subgroup, visual acuity increased significantly (P=0.012) from the baseline value to the best postoperative measurement (0.29+/-0.09 to 0.53+/-0.24). In the control group, baseline visual acuity and best visual acuity during the follow-up did not vary significantly (P=0.27). Comparing the study and control groups with each other, the gain in visual acuity was significantly higher in the study group at 1 month (P=0.016) and 2 months (P=0.012) after baseline.

Conclusions: Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide can increase visual acuity in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion.