Short-term effectiveness prognostic factors after dexamethasone intravitreal implant in macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion

Introduction: The aim of this study was to describe functional and anatomical changes (best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA], central macular thickness [CMT], and central macular volume [CMV]) in patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) treated with intravitreal dexamethasone implant (IDI) and identify its clinical predictors in a real-world setting. Methods: Data from 111 patients who underwent IDI to treat RVO-associated ME were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic, preoperative, and postoperative variables were assessed using a logistic regression analysis to determine predictors of visual and anatomical improvement. Results: Mean BCVA, CMT, and CMV improved from baseline after IDI (p < 0.001). The strongest predictors of different treatment outcomes were: a baseline BCVA <= 60 ETDRS letters (OR = 50.600; p < 0.001) and first IDI injection (OR = 2.988; p < 0.001) for BCVA gain > 15 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters; a baseline BCVA <= 60 ETDRS letters (OR = 7.893; p = 0.002) and non-chronic ME (OR = 3.875; p = 0.019) for BCVA > 80 ETDRS letters achievement; a baseline CMT > 400 mu m (OR = 49.083; p < 0.001) and a baseline CMV > 12 mm(3) (OR = 4.235; p < 0.001) for CMT reduction > 50%; and a baseline CMT > 400 mu m (OR = 11.471; p < 0.001) and a baseline CMV > 12 mm(3) (OR = 10.284; p < 0.001) for CMV reduction > 15%. Conclusion: This study confirmed the effectiveness of IDI to treat ME secondary to RVO and identified new predictive factors for two visual (> 15 ETDRS letters gain and BCVA > 80 ETDRS letters) and two anatomical outcomes (>50% CMT and >15% CMV reduction).

Automated summary

The study confirmed the effectiveness of intravitreal dexamethasone implant in treating macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion and identified new predictive factors for different treatment outcomes that include visual and anatomical improvements.