Intravitreal Injections for Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion: Long-Term Functional and Anatomic Outcomes

Emilia Maggio; Maurizio Mete; Giorgia Maraone; Marcella Attanasio; Massimo Guerriero; Grazia Pertile

doi:10.1155/2020/7817542

Intravitreal Injections for Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion: Long-Term Functional and Anatomic Outcomes

J Ophthalmol. 2020 Feb 13:2020:7817542. doi: 10.1155/2020/7817542. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Emilia Maggio¹, Maurizio Mete¹, Giorgia Maraone¹, Marcella Attanasio¹, Massimo Guerriero², Grazia Pertile¹

Affiliations

¹ IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Via Don Sempreboni 5-Negrar 37024, Verona, Italy.
² Department Computer Science, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15-37134, Verona, Italy.

Abstract

Purpose: To report the long-term visual and anatomic outcomes of intravitreal injections for macular edema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in a real-life clinical setting.

Design: Retrospective interventional case series.

Methods: A total of 223 consecutive eyes with ME secondary to RVO, treated with the first three intravitreal Ranibizumab or dexamethasone injections between August 2008 and September 2018, were enrolled in the study. Subsequent retreatment was guided by best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) measurements, aimed at achieving macular fluid regression and BCVA stability. BCVA and CMT were recorded at baseline and at subsequent annual time points. The mean number of injections administered each year and the incidence of adverse events were recorded.

Results: The mean BCVA and CMT at baseline were 0.79 logMar (SD 0.71) and 615.7 μm (SD 257.5), respectively. The mean follow-up (FU) period was 47.8 months (min 12-max 120). At 12 months, the mean BCVA and CMT had significantly improved to 0.62 logMar (SD 0.68; p < 0.0001) and 401.04 μm (SD 257.5), respectively. The mean follow-up (FU) period was 47.8 months (min 12-max 120). At 12 months, the mean BCVA and CMT had significantly improved to 0.62 logMar (SD 0.68; p < 0.0001) and 401.04 .

Conclusion: Intravitreal Ranibizumab and/or dexamethasone injections were found to be effective at inducing a long-lasting improvement of BCVA and CMT in a real-life clinical setting. A safety profile similar to that already well-established in Ranibizumab and dexamethasone treatment was observed, as well as a steady decrease in the number of intraocular injections required. The results support intravitreal treatments for BRVO and CRVO in patient populations with similar characteristics in similar settings.