The 1 year outcome of intravitreal dexamethasone implant for macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion

Purpose To evaluate 1‐year outcome of intravitreal dexamethasone implant in macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods A medical records was reviewed retrospectively for 22 patients (22 eyes) with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion. All of them were treated with intravitreal dexamethasone implant twice a year and followed up at least 1‐year from the first dexamethasone implant injection. The best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured at every 2 months after the first injection. Adverse effects including cataract formation, elevation of IOP were analyzed. Results Mean age was 64.3 ± 9.5. Mean injection number was 2.4 ± 0.6 and interval between first and second injection was 22.0 ± 6.4 weeks. Additional treatments were performed with 11 patients (50%), bevacizumab in 9 and triamcinolone acetonide in 2. Mean BCVA (logMAR) was 0.79 ± 0.49 at pre‐injection and 0.72 ± 0.62 at 1 year. BCVA change was not significant (p = 0.638). But there was significant BCVA increase at 2, 4, 6 month after first injection (p < 0.001). The number of patients who improved in BCVA was 10 (45.5%) at 1 year. Mean CMT at baseline was 627.3 ± 149.7 μ m and 458.4 ± 139.0 μ m at 1 year, significant decrease compared to baseline (p < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, Hypertension (HTN) group showed significant improvement in BCVA and CMT compared to non‐HTN group (p = 0.044; BCVA, p = 0.005; CMT). Ischemic group represented significant decrease at CMT (p < 0.001). Elevated intraocular pressure was observed in 6 eyes (27.3%). Cataract formation was in 3 eyes (13.6%). Conclusions Intravitreal dexamethasone implant was effective in stabilizing visual acuity and reduction of macular edema in patients with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion.