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 3months 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 61.5years±11.4 (SD) (range 37 to 82years) were included. The mean lens densitometry value at Pentacam densitometry zone 1 was significantly increased in the study eyes at 3months compared with baseline values (baseline 9.44±0.99; 3months 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 3months after injection (P>.05). The densitometry values in fellow healthy eyes were also similar at baseline and at 3months. The mean lens densitometry value at zone 1 significantly increased from baseline in the study eyes 3months after the injection of the dexamethasone implant for the treatment of macularedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion. None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.