Incidence of posterior subcapsular cataract progression after triamcinolone acetonide administration

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence of posterior subcapsular cataract after topical administration of triamcinolone acetonide. METHODS: A retrospective, case-control study was conducted in 44 phakic eyes of 38 paients who underwent administration of triamcinolone acetonide. The mean age was 64 +/- 10.4 (39-89). Only posterior sub-Tenon injection was performed. Evaluation of posterior subcapsular cataract was performed by slit lamp microscopy, and risk factors of the posterior subcapsular cataract progression were studied. RESULTS: Eight eyes (18%) had posterior subcapsular cataract progression in the 12 months after triamcinolone acetonide injection. Five eyes (11%) required cataract surgery. The mean time to the cataract progression was 8.8 +/- 3.7 months. There was no significant difference in the posterior cataract progression between the frequency of injection, the causes of disease, and the age (p = 0.3806, 0.6561, 0.7470). CONCLUSION: The progression of posterior subcapsular cataract is an important complication in the long-term topical administration of triamcinolone acetonide.