PANHELLENIC OPHTHALMOLOGY CONGRESS 2015

INTRAVITREL  INJECTION OF DEXAMETHASONE IN THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR EDEMA CAUSED BY RETINA VEIN OCCLUSION

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Athens Naval Hospital

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OBJECTIVE:

 

The aim is to study the effectiveness of intravitreal dexamethasone injection both in terms of visual acuity and macular thickness measured by OCT, in patients with macular edema secondary to central (non-ischemic type) or branch retinal vein thrombosis.

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MATERIALS & METHODS:

 

12 patients (7 men and 5 women), with a mean age of 65 years who suffered central (non-ischemic type) or branch retinal vein thrombosis underwent intravitreal dexamethasone infusion at 0 months, followed by additional infusions for recurrent edema. The mean number of injections was 1.6 and follow-up was 9 months. The infusion included dexamethasone 0.4 mg (10 units of insulin).

 

RESULTS:

 

In the first week of follow-up in 5 patients the visual acuity improved ≥ 15 letters ETDRS, in 9 patients it improved 5-15 letters ETDRS while in 2 patients there was no improvement. Central retinal thickness ranged in all between 190 and 240 µm. No patient had an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) which averaged 18 mmHg

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CONCLUSIONS:

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The improvement in both visual acuity and macular thickness after intravitreal dexamethasone injections makes the drug safe and effective for treating macular edema secondary to retinal vein thrombosis.