Intravitreal triamcinolone for cancer-associated retinopathy refractory to systemic therapy

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report the use of intravitreal triamcinolone for treatment of cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) refractory to systemic therapy. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review study. Results: A 67-year-old man presented with cancer-associated retinopathy with antibodies against a 46-kDa retinal protein, alpha enolase. There was disease progression despite therapy with mycophenolate and intravenous immunoglobulin. Serial intravitreal injections of triamcinolone resulted in restoration of photoreceptor anatomy on optical coherence tomography and visual improvement. The patient’s vision was preserved at 20/40 OD and 20/32 OS until his death from lung cancer 31 months after CAR diagnosis. Conclusions: Intravitreal triamcinolone may be beneficial for maintenance of vision in patients with CAR.