Long-term Results of Ranibizumab, Dexamethasone Implant, and Triamcinolone in Macular Edema due to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

• Published in: Beyoglu eye journal Vol. 4; no. 3; pp. 141 - 148
• Main Authors: Dikel, Nevin Hande, Yumusak, Erhan, Gokcinar, Nesrin Buyuktortop
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Turkey Kare Publishing 2019; KARE Publishing
• Subjects: branch retinal vein occlusion; dexamethasone intravitreal implant; macular edema; Original; ranibizumab; triamcinolone acetonide; triamcinolone acetonide; macular edema; Branch retinal vein occlusion; dexamethasone intravitreal implant; ranibizumab
• ISSN: 2459-1777; 2587-0394
• DOI: 10.14744/bej.2019.40412

The present study aims to compare the long-term efficacy and safety results of intravitreal ranibizumab (RAN), dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX) and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) injections in macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).
In this retrospective study, one eye each of 43 patients who were treated with intravitreal injections for macular edema secondary to BRVO was recruited into one of the study groups: RAN group (n=17), DEX group (n=16) and IVTA group (n=10). All patients were followed-up for 12 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) at month 1, 3, 6, and 12 were compared with baseline.
The BCVA increased significantly in the RAN and DEX groups at all visits (all p<0.05). BCVA increase in the IVTA group was significant only at month 1 and 6. CMT decreased significantly in all groups at the end of one year of follow-up (p=0.007; p=0.001; p=0.044, respectively). SFCT significantly decreased in all groups at month 1 (all p<0.05). IOP significantly increased in none, 18.8%, 30% of the patients in the RAN, DEX and IVTA groups, respectively. Cataract surgery was performed in none of the patients, 6.3%, and 30% of the patients in the RAN, DEX, and IVTA groups, respectively.
BCVA increase was more prominent in both of the RAN and DEX groups than in the IVTA group. DEX may decrease the injection burden; however, ranibizumab may be a safer choice.