Micropulsed laser photocoagulation and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection for the treatment of retinal angiomatous proliferation

PURPOSE: To investigate visual acuity and fluorescein angiographic outcomes, as well as adverse events, associated with treatment of retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) with micropulsed laser photocoagulation and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection. METHODS: In this retrospective, noncomparative, interventional, consecutive case series, the medical records of all patients treated for RAP with micropulsed laser photocoagulation (yellow or green dye; duration, 0.02-0.05 second; power adjusted to achieve a white burn of moderate intensity at the level of the RAP lesion in the retina) and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (4 mg/0.1 mL) injection between January 2003 and November 2004 were reviewed by one of four retina specialists at a single retina practice. Main outcome measures were visual acuity, leakage shown by fluorescein angiography, and adverse events. RESULTS: The study included 14 eyes of 13 patients (8 women and 5 men; median age, 83 years [range, 70-90 years]). Triamcinolone acetonide injection preceded laser treatment by a median duration of 7 days (range, 5-16 days) in 8 eyes, was performed on the same day as laser treatment in 2 eyes, and followed laser treatment by a median duration of 7 days (range, 7-28 days) in 4 eyes. Eyes were followed a median of 18 months (range, 12-27 months) after treatment with both laser and intravitreal triamcinolone injection. Compared with pretreatment visual acuity, vision at 12 months and the last follow-up examination was stable in 5 eyes (36%), improved by ≥2 lines in 6 eyes (43%), and worsened by ≥2 lines in 3 eyes (21%). The median visual acuity before treatment was 20/200 compared with 20/80 at 3 months after treatment (P = 0.02), 20/100 at 6 months after treatment (P = 0.16), 20/200 at 12 months after treatment (P = 0.73), and 20/100 (P = 0.63) at the last follow-up examination. For 13 eyes (93%), fluorescein angiography performed 6 months after administration of both laser and intravitreal triamcinolone injection demonstrated resolution of all leakage; one eye was treated with photodynamic therapy with verteporfin 6 months after treatment for persistent low-grade leakage. Elevated intraocular pressure (>25 mm Hg) occurred in 2 eyes at 2.5 months and 2 months after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection; both eyes were treated with transient use of antiglaucoma eyedrops. Seven (78%) of 9 phakic eyes had cataract progression, and 5 of these 7 eyes underwent cataract extraction during the follow-up period. No other adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Micropulsed laser photocoagulation and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection may be effective and safe treatment for RAP lesions.