title: Objective evaluation of lens clarity after the intravitreal injection of sustained-release dexamethasone implant.
abstract: To evaluate the lens densitometry values in eyes with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion that were treated with intravitreal dexamethasone implants and to compare these data with those of fellow healthy control eyes.
  
  
  
  Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
  
  
  
  Prospective case series.
  
  
  
  Patients with unilateral macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion who were to be treated with intravitreal dexamethasone implants were recruited. The lens densitometry values measured with Scheimpflug imaging before and 3 months after the injection were compared with those in fellow healthy eyes.
  
  
  
  Thirty-seven patients (22 with branch retinal vein occlusion and 15 with central retinal vein occlusion) with a mean age of 61.5 years ± 11.4 (SD) (range 37 to 82 years) were included. The mean lens densitometry value at Pentacam densitometry zone 1 was significantly increased in the study eyes at 3 months compared with baseline values (baseline 9.44 ± 0.99; 3 months 9.68 ± 1.24; P = .015). At zones 2 and 3, the mean and maximum lens densitometry values in study eyes and lens thickness were similar at baseline and 3 months after injection (P > .05). The densitometry values in fellow healthy eyes were also similar at baseline and at 3 months.
  
  
  
  The mean lens densitometry value at zone 1 significantly increased from baseline in the study eyes 3 months after the injection of the dexamethasone implant for the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion.
  
  
  
  None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
authors.affiliation: From the Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: dranayol@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mustafa Alpaslan
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Anayol
authors.affiliation: From the Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sekeroglu
authors.affiliation: From the Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tirhis
authors.affiliation: From the Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bayram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gulpamuk
authors.affiliation: From the Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sibel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doguizi
authors.affiliation: From the Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Pelin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yilmazbas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004343:Drug Implants; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone