Safety and efficacy of suprachoroidal triamcinolone acetonide for the management of serous choroidal detachment prior to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery: A Pilot study

PURPOSE: To study the safety and efficacy of pre-operative suprachoroidal triamcinolone acetonide (SCTA) for achieving reduction/resolution of serous choroidal detachment (CD) associated with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: This was a prospective, noncomparative, interventional pilot study. All consecutive patients presenting with RD and coexisting CD underwent transconjunctival injection of SCTA before proceeding with vitrectomy/scleral buckle surgery. Sequential ultrasound B scans were performed for assessing the change in height of the CD. RESULTS: The mean age of the cohort was 53.8 ± 10.8 years (range: 39–72 years). The CD was present in a median of 3 quadrants; the cumulative mean CD height was 5.59 mm (range: 2.02–9.42 mm). Following SCTA, a successful response (>50% reduction) was seen in five eyes by day 3 and in two eyes by day 5. Three eyes failed to respond to SCTA and required surgical drainage before proceeding with vitrectomy. No intraprocedural injection-related complications were noted. A transient rise in the intraocular pressure (30 mmHg) was seen in one eye following vitrectomy and was managed successfully with topical antiglaucoma medications CONCLUSION: Suprachoroidal administration of triamcinolone appears to be a safe and effective technique to achieve CD resolution in eyes with RRD.