Dexamethasone intravitreal implant in patients with macular oedema related to branch or central retinal vein occlusion, a retrospective study.

Purpose To evaluate the anatomic and visual outcomes of one treatment with dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex®) in eyes with macular edema secondary to branch or central vein occlusion (BRVO or CRVO) during the first six months. Methods The safety and efficacy of the dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Dex. implant) were evaluated retrospectively from January 2011 to May 2012 in a tertiary referral hospital. CRVO or BRVO diagnosis was confirmed with fluorescein angiography. At baseline, patients received a 0.7 mg dex. implant. They were evaluated at one, three and six months. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were collected. Results We included twenty one eyes: 28.5% had a CRVO and 71.5% a BRVO. At baseline, the mean BCVA was 47 letters (ETDRS) (52 in the BRVO group, 22 in the CRVO group). All patients had a macular edema involving the fovea. The mean central retinal thickness (CRT) was 513 micrometer [255‐780]. At one month, 47.5% of eyes had more than three line gains and the mean CRT was 286 µm. Only two eyes had an IOP increase (>25 mmHg). However, at six months, only 17% of eyes had more than three line gains and the mean CRT was 380 µm. IOP remained uncontrolled with medication in one eye. Conclusion The dexamethasone intravitreal implant reduces macular edema and improves visual acuity in patients with either branch retinal vein occlusions or central retinal vein occlusions. However, this efficacy remains transient. A retreament with a dex. implant is necessary for most of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]