Repeated intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex®) for retinal vein occlusion.

Lea Querques, Giuseppe Querques, Rosangela Lattanzio, Silvia Rita Gigante, Claudia Del Turco, Giulia Corradetti, Maria Lucia Cascavilla, Francesco Bandello

Department of Ophthalmology, University Scientific Institute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.

Ophthalmologica. Journal international d'ophtalmologie. International journal of ophthalmology. Zeitschrift für Augenheilkunde 2013

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To evaluate the effects of repeated intravitreal dexamethasone implant (IDI) (Ozurdex®) in eyes with macular edema (ME) due to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). We reviewed the charts of patients with RVO-related ME, who received repeated Ozurdex IDI (0.7 mg) on an 'as-needed' basis. Main outcome measures included changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), retreatment interval, and incidence of side effects. A total of 33 eyes were included for analysis. Retreatment with Ozurdex was judged necessary after 4.7 ± 1.1 months from the first IDI (1st IDI) and 5.1 ± 1.5 months from the second IDI (2nd IDI). Baseline BCVA was 0.65 ± 0.43 logMAR; it significantly improved to 0.50 ± 0.42 logMAR after 1.4 ± 0.7 months from the 1st IDI (peaking efficacy) (p < 0.001) and to 0.48 ± 0.44 logMAR after 1.8 ± 0.8 months from the 2nd IDI (peaking efficacy) (p < 0.001). CMT decreased from 636 ± 217 µm (baseline) to 300 ± 114 µm, 1.4 ± 0.7 months after the 1st IDI (p < 0.001), and to 298 ± 91 µm, 1.8 ± 0.8 months after the 2nd IDI (p < 0.001). A rebound effect was recorded in 7 eyes after the 1st IDI (mean 168 ± 158 µm) and in 4 eyes after the 2nd IDI (mean 215 ± 199 µm). All eyes with a rebound effect improved again after a 2nd intravitreal Ozurdex injection. No serious adverse events were observed; 12 eyes developed a transient IOP increase, and cataracts were extracted in 2 eyes. Repeated intravitreal Ozurdex on an 'as-needed' basis, with a retreatment interval <6 months, may produce long-term clinically meaningful benefits in the treatment of ME due to RVO, without other significant side effects than expected after intraocular corticosteroid treatment. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Citation

Lea Querques, Giuseppe Querques, Rosangela Lattanzio, Silvia Rita Gigante, Claudia Del Turco, Giulia Corradetti, Maria Lucia Cascavilla, Francesco Bandello. Repeated intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex®) for retinal vein occlusion. Ophthalmologica. Journal international d'ophtalmologie. International journal of ophthalmology. Zeitschrift für Augenheilkunde. 2013;229(1):21-5