THERAPY OF NONNECROTIZING ANTERIOR SCLERITIS WITH SUBCONJUNCTIVAL CORTICOSTEROID INJECTION

Objective: To determine the safety and efficacy of subconjunctival triamcinolone (Kenalog) in treating nonnecrotizing anterior scleritis. Design: The authors conducted a retrospective review of all patients treated with depot subconjunctival corticosteroid injection for scleritis from January 1988 to May 1993. Response to therapy was determined by subjective improvement in pain and a decrease in clinical signs of ocular inflammation. All patients received subconjunctival injections of triamcinolone by the same technique, and the minimum observation period for complications was 6 weeks. Results: Eighteen patients (90%) had relief of their symptoms with clinically observable improvement in inflammation, whereas two patients (10%) responded poorly. Nine patients (45%) required no further therapy. Average symptom-free interval was 18 weeks in patients with recurrent scleritis. No complications of scleral thinning, perforation, or glaucoma occurred in any patients. Conclusion: Subconjunctival triamcinolone injection is highly efficacious in treating nonnecrotizing anterior scleritis without unreasonable risk of thinning and/or perforation and should be considered as adjunctive therapy in localized disease.