Patient Perceptions of Discomfort and Changes in Vision and Functional Status Associated with Intravitreal Triamcinolone Injection

Purpose: To assess patient perceptions concerning discomfort and changes in vision associated with intravitreal triamcinolone injections (IVTA). Design: Prospective consecutive case series. Methods: Fifty patients treated with IVTA between June 2003 and February 2005 were interviewed by telephone 10 to 12 weeks after injection. Each question was answered on a 1 to 5 scale. Results: There was no significant difference in reported amount of ocular discomfort pre-injection vs post-injection (1.0 vs 1.1, respectively). Expected pain level (2.9) was higher than the actual pain level (1.6; P < .001). Patients' self-reported vision improved from 2.7 to 3.7 (P < .001). Thirty (60%) patients reported improved vision and 20 (40%) reported no change. Thirty-three (66%) patients reported more visual improvement than expected. Conclusions: Patient expectation of discomfort during IVTA was greater than their actual experience; approximately two-thirds of patients reported improved vision and about one-third reported improved functional status after injection.