The Role of Steroids in the Management of Macular Edema from Retinal Vein Occlusion

Abstract

Aim: To analyze the effectiveness of intravitreal injection of an anti-VEGF agent (ranibizumab) and an dexametazon implant for the intravitreal injection, in real clinical life.Patients and Methods. 137 patients with MO due to retinal venous occlusion were included in the study. Patients were retrospectively divided into groups: patients who received monotherapy with ranibizumab 94 people; and monotherapy with dexamethasone implant — 15 patients; patients who initially were injected with a dexamethasone implant, but due the study transferred to ranibizumab 15 patients; patients who initially received ranibizumab, but then transferred to the dexamethasone implant -13. For the treatment of macular edema were used an anti-VEGF agent — ranibizumab (Lucentis) 0.05 ml (0.5 mg) manufactured by Novartis (Switzerland) or glucocorticosteroid — dexamethasone implant for intravitreal injection of 0.7 mg (Ozurdex) manufactured by Allergan Pharmaceutical Ireland (Ireland). The injections were administered on a pro re nata basis (the presence of macular edema). Standard ophthalmological examination and fluorescent angiography (PAG), optical coherent tomography (OCT), optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) were used. Visual acuity changes (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were analyzed depending on the study group (group 1–4), the duration of treatment and the number of injections. Results: In group 1, from 1 to 8 IVVs were performed in 24 months, an average of 3.77. In group 2, from 1 to 4 intravitreal injections were performed in 24 months, an average of 1.37. In group 3, from 1 to 2 of intravitreal injections Ozurdex and from 1 to 4 intravitreal injections of ranibizumab for 24 months. In group 4, from 1 to 4 intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF drug and from 1 to 4 intravitreal dexamethasone implant were performed in 24 months of follow-up. Monotherapy with the Ozurdex drug (12 months) had the most stable effect, with a relapse of the process, repeated injections were required, conducted only in 3 out of 15 patients. Conclusion: In real clinical practice, the dexamethasone implant showed a good safety profile and high efficacy in the resorption of macular edema in patients with retinal vein occlusion, which corresponds to the clinical trials that was made earlier.