PURPOSE: To evaluate the toxic effects of two triamcinolone acetonide (TA) vehicles on rabbit retina at different volumes. METHODS: Vehicle A and B were prepared from two TA injections by centrifugation. Thirty-six New Zealand white rabbits were intravitreally injected with vehicle A, B, or balanced saline solution at 0.1 mL or 0.2 mL respectively. The eyes were examined by indirect ophthalmoscope, light microscope, and transmission electron microscope up to week 8 postinjection. RESULTS: Eyes with vehicle A appeared normal under the ophthalmoscope, but showed disorganization in retinal inner nuclear layer and photoreceptor layer in pathologic analyses. Eyes with vehicle B displayed more significant retinal changes including retinal hemorrhage, vascular narrowing, myelinated fiber edema, retinal necrosis and atrophy, and photoreceptor apoptosis. There was an increase in degree of the above damages as the volume of either vehicle increased. CONCLUSION: Both vehicle A and B caused volume-related toxicity in rabbit retina. The intensity of the toxic effects of different vehicles may differ. Reducing or decanting the vehicles should be considered before intravitreal use of TA injections.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the toxic effects of two triamcinolone acetonide (TA) vehicles on rabbit retina at different volumes. METHODS: Vehicle A and B were prepared from two TA injections by centrifugation. Thirty-six New Zealand white rabbits were intravitreally injected with vehicle A, B, or balanced saline solution at 0.1 mL or 0.2 mL respectively. The eyes were examined by indirect ophthalmoscope, light microscope, and transmission electron microscope up to week 8 postinjection. RESULTS: Eyes with vehicle A appeared normal under the ophthalmoscope, but showed disorganization in retinal inner nuclear layer and photoreceptor layer in pathologic analyses. Eyes with vehicle B displayed more significant retinal changes including retinal hemorrhage, vascular narrowing, myelinated fiber edema, retinal necrosis and atrophy, and photoreceptor apoptosis. There was an increase in degree of the above damages as the volume of either vehicle increased. CONCLUSION: Both vehicle A and B caused volume-related toxicity in rabbit retina. The intensity of the toxic effects of different vehicles may differ. Reducing or decanting the vehicles should be considered before intravitreal use of TA injections.