title: Intravitreal dexamethasone implant for the treatment of macular edema after retinal vein occlusion in a clinical setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To study the efficacy and safety of a new intravitreal implant (sustained release of dexamethasone, Ozurdex®) recently approved in Switzerland for the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion in a clinical setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective non-consecutive study of patients with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion or branch retinal vein occlusion treated with implant of dexamethasone 0.7 mg. Follow-up visits were performed at day 1, week 1 and monthly thereafter. ETDRS best corrected visual acuity, Goldmann tonometry and macular thickness on SD-OCT were registered. Retreatment was carried out on a pro re nata basis starting from month 3.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen eyes of 15 patients were included (8 branch retinal vein occlusions, 7 central retinal vein occlusions). 33% of the patients achieved 3 lines or more of vision gain. The central retinal vein occlusion subgroup showed a mean decline in visual acuity at month 3. A reduction of 36% of macular edema was already observed at day 1. All maculae were dry at month 1. The mean time of recurrence of macular edema for both groups was 4.6 months. A similar reduction of macular edema was obtained after a second implantation. An intraocular pressure increase of ≥ 20% was observed after the first implantation in 53% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed efficacy and safety of intravitreal dexamethasone implant in the treatment of macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion. Anatomical efficacy was observed at day 1 but seems to have shorter effect than previously published data. No serious side effects were observed.
authors: Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, Medical Retina Unit, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Ferrini
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ambresin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004343:Drug Implants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014605:Uveitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004343:Drug Implants; D003907:Dexamethasone