Purpose: To evaluate the long-term effect of vitrectomy by itself and combined vitrectomy with sub-Tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) on intraocular pressure (IOP).
Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, the medical records of 56 eyes of 56 patients who underwent nonemergent vitrectomy and were followed up for at least 24 months were reviewed. Thirty-two eyes of 32 patients underwent combined vitrectomy with sub-Tenon injection of TA. Twenty-four eyes of 24 patients underwent vitrectomy only. Increased IOP of >4 mmHg from the baseline, change in IOP from the baseline, and preoperative and postoperative measured IOPs were recorded and compared between the two groups, and with fellow eyes.
Results: Minimum follow-up period was 24 months. Except the IOP at postoperative 1 day, there were no significant differences between vitrectomized eyes and nonvitrectomized fellow eyes. There were also no differences between vitrectomized eyes and eyes that underwent combined vitrectomy with sub-Tenon injection of TA. And in the comparison of the vitrectomy-only eye group and the vitrectomy with sub-Tenon TA eye group, there was also no significant difference during the whole follow-up period.
Conclusion: Vitrectomy by itself or combined vitrectomy with sub-Tenon injection of TA does not seem to increase IOP in the long term.