Triamcinolone injection in the treatment of lid retraction for thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy: A systematic review

Introduction and Objectives: Lid retraction is one of the most common symptoms of Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy (TAO), which potentially precipitates various complications, such as dry eyes, exposure keratopathy, and cosmetic concerns. Local corticosteroid injections, such as triamcinolone, have been proposed as a choice of treatment for TAO. This approach may be a favorable alternative for patients intolerant to the systemic effects of high-dose methylprednisolone. However, the efficacy of this intervention remains unestablished. Hence, our review aims to evaluate the efficacy of triamcinolone injection in reducing lid retraction. Methods: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline and was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Science Direct, and ProQuest). This review included studies that use local triamcinolone injections for patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. The outcome of interest in this review is lid retraction parameters. Results: From six studies, a total of 392 patients were included. All studies showed significant improvement in lid retraction in the patient who received triamcinolone (all p < 0.05) as shown by ΔMRD (−0.93 mm in 1 month and −1.38 mm in 3 months), ΔMLD (−1.98 mm at 6 months), and Δpalpebral fissure height (−1.68 in 1 month). The majority of studies showed rapid improvement in lid retraction in the first month of therapy. Conclusion: Triamcinolone injection is an effective therapy for lid retraction related to thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.