News
Whole blood keeps triamcinolone acetonide particles out of macular holes
Applying autologous whole blood before performing triamcinolone acetonide-assisted peeling of the internal limiting membrane may prevent triamcinolone particles from being deposited in macular holes, a study found. Use of the blood may also reduce the potential toxic effects of triamcinolone on the retinal pigment epithelium and retina, the study authors noted.
Chi-Chun Lai, MD, and colleagues reviewed outcomes for 18 idiopathic macular holes in 18 patients treated with triamcinolone acetonide-assisted internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. After performing core vitrectomy, surgeons covered macular holes with autologous whole blood and injected a triamcinolone solution onto the macular area, according to the study.
Surgeons removed any residual triamcinolone particles after ILM peeling.
Investigators found that the ILM could be recognized for removal after triamcinolone-assisted visualization. Also, the autologous whole blood prevented triamcinolone particles from being deposited in the macular holes, the authors reported.
At 8.6 months mean follow-up, one surgery had closed the macular hole in 17 eyes (94%), and visual acuity had improved in 15 eyes (83%).
Overall, best corrected visual acuity averaged 20/100 preoperatively and improved to average 20/40 at final follow-up, according to the study, published in the September issue of <cite>Retina</cite>.