DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT FOR MACULAR EDEMA SECONDARY TO ISCHEMIC RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSIONS

To evaluate the effects of dexamethasone implant for the treatment of macular edema secondary to ischemic retinal vein occlusions (IRVO).

Consecutive patients affected by macular edema related to IRVO were prospectively recruited. After a comprehensive ophthalmological examination, including visual acuity, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography, each patient received a first implant. Further re-treatments were performed on the basis of macular edema detection from the fourth month on. The primary outcome measure was the change in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letter score at the 12-month examination. Secondary outcome measures included changes in central foveal thickness and number of implants over the follow-up.

Fifteen patients with central IRVO and 14 patients with branch IRVO were recruited. The median ETDRS letter score at baseline was 10 (Snellen Equivalent 20/640) in the central IRVO subgroup, improving to 37 (Snellen Equivalent 20/200²⁺) at the 12-month examination. The median ETDRS letter score in the branch retinal vein occlusion subgroup changed from 48 (Snellen equivalent 20/125³⁺) at baseline to 62 (Snellen equivalent 20/63²⁺) at the 12-month examination. The baseline median central foveal thickness was 749 μm in central IRVO, and 459 μm in branch IRVO, improving to 363 μm and 323 μm, respectively, at the 12-month examination. Mean number of implants was 2.8 in the central IRVO and 2 in the branch IRVO.

Dexamethasone implant can reduce macular edema in eyes affected by IRVO, leading to a slight improvement in visual acuity.