2Ar. Gör., Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi, Göz Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Rize - TÜRKİYE Purpose: To evaluate the visual and anatomical results of primarily dexamathasone (DEX) implant and the need for adjunctive treatment (ranibizumab, laser) for macular edema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO).
Materials and Methods: The records of patients who received primarily DEX implant for ME secondary to RVO were studied retrospectively. Outcome measures included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), central foveolar thickness (CFK) baseline and at each monthly controls. The number of DEX implant and ranibizumab injections and required treatments were recorded. Paired t-test was used and and a p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: 27 patients were identified, 14 patients with central RVO (CRVO), and 13 were with branch RVO (BRVO). Mean follow-up time was 14.2 ± 3.7 months in the CRVO group, and 13.8 ± 4.2 months in the BRVO group. The number of DEX implant injection was 1.8 ± 0.7 in CRVO group and 1.5 ± 0.9 in BRVO group. Although the mean BCVA improved for two groups, the improvement was significant at 1 and 12 months and last control. The mean CFK was decreased significantly in both groups at all controls. The number of ranibizumab injection per patient was 1.07 in CRVO group and 0.61 in BRVO group. 33%of phakic patients required cataract surgery, 3 patients (11%) developed ocular hypertension (IOP>22mmHg) which could be managed by topical medication.
Conclusion: DEX implant seems to be effective as a first line treatment in ME secondary to RVO. However adjunctive injections were required before 6 months because of ME relapse.
Keywords : retinal vein occlusion, dexamethasone implant, ranibizumab, macular edema