DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT FOR MACULAR EDEMA SECONDARY TO CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION IN PATIENTS YOUNGER THAN 50 YEARS

Cumulative effect of metabolic syndrome on the risk of retinal vein occlusion in young patients: A nationwide population-based study

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the cumulative burden of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on the incidence of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in young adults. We included 1,408,093 subjects aged ≥20 and <40 years without a history of RVO who underwent four consecutive annual health examinations during 2009-2012 from the database of the Korean National Health Insurance Service. The metabolic burden was evaluated based on the cumulative number of MetS diagnoses at each health examination (0-4 times) and the cumulative number of each MetS component diagnosed at each health examination (0-4 times per MetS component). Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the risk of RVO according to metabolic burden. The risk of RVO was positively correlated with the cumulative number of MetS diagnoses over the four health examinations. All five MetS components were independently associated with an increased risk of RVO. Subgroup analysis for the impact of MetS on RVO occurrence revealed that MetS had a greater impact on female subjects (P <0.001). Prompt detection of metabolic derangements and their treatment might be important to decrease the risk of RVO in young adults, especially women.

Update on Retinal Vein Occlusion

Retinal vein occlusion represents the second leading cause of retinal vascular disorders, with a uniform sex distribution worldwide. A thorough evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors is required to correct possible comorbidities. The diagnosis and management of retinal vein occlusion have changed tremendously in the last 30 years, but the assessment of retinal ischemia at baseline and during follow-up examinations remains crucial. New imaging techniques have shed light on the pathophysiology of the disease and laser treatment, once the only therapeutic option, is now only one of the possible approaches with antivascular endothelial growth factors and steroid injections being preferred in most cases. Nowadays long-term outcomes are better than those achievable 20 years ago and yet, many new therapeutic options are under development, including new intravitreal drugs and gene therapy. Despite this, some cases still develop sight-threatening complications deserving a more aggressive (sometimes surgical) approach. The purpose of this comprehensive review is to reappraise some old but still valid concepts and to integrate them with new research and clinical data. The work will provide an overview of the disease's pathophysiology, natural history, and clinical features along with a detailed discussion on the advantages of multimodal imaging and of the different treatment strategies with the aim of providing retina specialists with the most updated knowledge in the field.

Clinical Features of Central Retinal Vein Occlusion in Young Patients

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the second most common retinal vascular disease. Central RVO (CRVO), in which obstruction occurs posterior to the lamina cribrosa due to various causes, manifests with extensive venous tortuosity, dilatation of blood vessels in the four quadrants, and retinal hemorrhage. The presence of macular edema decreases visual acuity in patients with CRVO, especially in elderly patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. In the last decade, treatment modalities for CRVO have improved, with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents being widely used as treatment. However, there are cases of refractory or recurrent macular edema. Moreover, CRVO also occurs in young patients. This article reviews previous studies and case reports and summarizes the differences in etiological factors, clinical manifestations, treatment, and prognosis between young and elderly patients. Due to the low incidence of CRVO in young patients, clinical data from these age groups are limited. Hence, further studies are warranted to explore the differences between age groups to improve individualization of treatment of young patients.

Real-Life Management of Central and Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Seven-Year Follow-Up Study

Retinal vein occlusion is the second most common retinal vascular pathology after diabetic retinopathy and a major cause of vision impairment. Nowadays, both central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) can be well-managed by intravitreal treatments. However, considering the long-life expectance of the patients, few data are present in the literature about the very long-term outcome of CRVO and BRVO. The present study was an interventional, retrospective analysis of the morphological and functional long-term outcome of CRVO and BRVO patients, followed in an Italian referral center. We collected data from 313 eyes (178 CRVO eyes and 135 BRVO eyes). Mean follow-up was 45 ± 25 months (range 12-84 months). Both CRVO and BRVO eyes experience a significant visual acuity improvement secondary to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor/dexamethasone treatments (from 0.57 ± 0.25 to 0.41 ± 0.24 LogMAR in CRVO and from 0.53 ± 0.42 to 0.30 ± 0.41 LogMAR in BRVO, respectively) (p < 0.01). Also, central macular thickness (CMT) resulted significant recovery at the end of the follow-up (from 585.54 ± 131.43 to 447.88 ± 245.07 μm in CRVO and from 585.54 ± 131.43 to 447.88 ± 245.07 μm in BRVO, respectively) (p < 0.01). CRVO eyes received a mean of 10.70 ± 4.76 intravitreal treatments, whereas BRVO underwent 9.80 ± 5.39 injections over the entire 7-year follow-up. Our analyses highlighted different time points indicating the best obtainable improvement. This was the first year for CRVO (12-month follow-up) and the second year for BRVO (24-month follow-up). After these two time points, both visual acuity and CMT resulted stable up to the end of the follow-up. Ischemia was associated with significantly worse outcome.

Ranibizumab for Macular Edema Secondary to Central and Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion in Patients Younger Than 50 Years of Age

Background

To determine the effectiveness of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) approach over 1-year follow-up in patients younger than 50 years old with central and branch retinal vein occlusion (RVO) complicated by macular edema (ME).

Methods

Prospective, open-label case series. Patients initiating IVR injections from January 2015 to May 2017 were consecutively recruited. Each patient underwent monthly ophthalmic examination and structural OCT over 12 months. A single IVR injection was administered at baseline, followed by a PRN regimen. Outcome measures are best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA); central foveal thickness (CFT); number of IVR injections; subretinal fluid (SRF); epiretinal membrane; and outer retinal layer (ORL) status.

Results

Thirty-eight patients (27 males) were included in the study. At follow-up, mean BCVA improved from 0.40 ± 0.17 to 0.10 ± 0.10 LogMAR in patients with central RVO and from 0.39 ± 0.19 to 0.19 ± 0.07 LogMAR in those with branch RVO, with 20 eyes gaining ≥3 ETDRS lines. In addition, mean CFT significantly decreased in both subgroups at the end of follow-up. All patients with SRF at baseline (9) disclosed complete resolution after 1 year. Likewise, ORL appeared reconstituted in most cases. At 12 months, 3.6 ± 2.4 and 4.4 ± 2.4 IVR injections were required for central and branch RVO, respectively, with only 5 eyes showing ME persistence.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that IVR injections can be a valid therapeutic option in patients under 50 years of age with ME secondary to RVO.

Combined central retinal vein occlusion and branch retinal artery occlusion treated with intravitreal dexamethasone implant: A case report

PURPOSE

To report a case of combined central retinal vein occlusion and branch retinal artery occlusion in a 51-year-old male with a very good response to dexamethasone implant therapy.

METHODS

This is a descriptive case report based on data from clinical records, patient observation and follow-ups, and analysis of acquired diagnostic tests.

RESULTS

A 51-year-old man presented with sudden vision loss and best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 in his left eye. A pale inferotemporal arterial branch course area along with increased vascular tortuosity, retinal hemorrhages, optic disk swelling, and macular edema were observed on slit lamp biomicroscopy examination. Right eye was normal. Diagnosis of combined central retinal vein occlusion and branch retinal artery occlusion in left eye was confirmed by fluorescein angiography and color fundoscopy, respectively. Optical coherence tomography confirmed subretinal fluid and intraretinal cysts with a prominent middle-limiting membrane in the inner synaptic portion of the outer plexiform layer, corresponding to areas of paracentral acute middle maculopathy. Intravitreal dexamethasone implant was administered to the patient. One month later, visual acuity was recovered with complete absorption of macular edema. Functional and anatomical stabilization were confirmed after 24 months.

CONCLUSION

Combined central retinal vein occlusion and branch retinal artery occlusion represents a rare condition, with variable functional outcomes due to the long-term complications such as macular edema. We hypothesize that prompt diagnosis and immediate intravitreal corticosteroid implant therapy reduced macular edema, thus contributing to arterial perfusion improvement, which in this case lead to a full sustainable recovery with limited functional and anatomical damage.

OUTER RETINAL LAYER CHANGES AFTER DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT FOR CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

PURPOSE

To analyze the outer retinal layer changes on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography after dexamethasone implant for the treatment of macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusions (CRVO).

METHODS

Thirty patients affected by macular edema related to CRVO (8 patients less than 50 years of age with nonischemic CRVO [<50-niCRVO], 12 patients more than 50 years with niCRVO [>50-niCRVO], and 10 patients with ischemic CRVO [iCRVO]) were included in a prospective study. After a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity, fluorescein angiography, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, each patient received a first implant. Further retreatments were performed on the basis of macular edema detection from the fourth month. Main outcome measure was the change in outer retinal layers at the 12-month examination.

RESULTS

The retinal layers of interest (external limiting membrane; ellipsoid zone; and retinal pigment epithelium) were classified as absent, disrupted, or present. The best baseline optical coherence tomography profile was found in <50-niCRVO group (absent external limiting membrane, ellipsoid zone, and retinal pigment epithelium layers in no patients; present and disrupted external limiting membrane in 25% and 75% of cases, respectively; disrupted ellipsoid zone and retinal pigment epithelium in 100% of cases), whereas the worst was detected in the iCRVO group (absent external limiting membrane, ellipsoid zone, and retinal pigment epithelium in 40%, 40%, and 10% of cases, respectively). A significant recovery of the retinal layers was observed in all CRVO subgroups; the greatest improvement was found in <50-niCRVO group. Median best-corrected visual acuity in the whole group improved from 0.85 to 0.45 (P = 0.0001). It is noteworthy that a significant best-corrected visual acuity gain was achieved only in eyes showing present or disrupted layers at baseline regardless of the CRVO subgroup examined, whereas eyes with absent layers at baseline were unable to attain any improvement.

CONCLUSION

Dexamethasone implant can promote the resolution of macular edema in patients affected by any CRVO subform, but a beneficial functional outcome could be achieved by eyes showing no absence of outer retinal layers on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at baseline.

Retinal vein occlusion and the use of a dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex®) in its treatment

Purpose

To review published data pertaining to the clinical experience with a dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex®) with a view to establishing a clinically based therapeutic regime.

Methods

A PubMed search using the MeSH terms “retinal vein occlusion” and either “pathophysiology” or “dexamethasone intravitreal implant” was undertaken for manuscripts published until August 2015. The analysis included studies involving minimally 15 patients under a prospective design or 30 under a retrospective design, a minimal follow up of 6 months, and at least 2 intravitreal Ozurdex® injections per eye.

Results

In the vast majority of eyes, satisfactory outcomes were achieved with retreatment intervals of between 3 and 5 months. Initial evidence indicates a similar efficacy compared to anti-VEGF therapies as a first-line treatment. Safety concerns associated with the long-term and repeated use of Ozurdex® are not borne out by clinical findings: its implantation is not associated with a sustained increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) over time or with the number of applications.

Conclusion

Compared with anti-VEGF therapies, the burden of retreatment is reduced. In patients with chronic macular edema not responsive to repetitive anti-VEGF therapies, the outcome after dexamethasone implant treatment is encouraging. However, these results are achieved at the expense of side effects typically associated with steroids: in up to 20 % of the Ozurdex®-treated patients, an elevation in IOP, which could be medically controlled in the majority of cases, and cataract formation or progression was observed.