Fast Resolution of Recurrent Pronounced Macular Edema following Intravitreal Injection of Dexamethasone 0.7 mg

Abstract

Purpose

To report the fast resolution of recurrent pronounced macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) within 72 h following intravitreal injection of dexamethasone 0.7 mg (Ozurdex®).

Methods

An interventional case report with optical coherence tomography scans and fluorescein angiographic pictures.

Results

A 69-year-old Caucasian man underwent intravitreal injection of dexamethasone 0.7 mg due to incomplete CRVO. He had previously undergone 6 intravitreal injections of bevacizumab 1.25 mg (Avastin®) and a C-grid laser photocoagulation over an interval of 16 months. After repeated recurrences of macular edema, the injection of dexamethasone reduced the macular edema from 570 μm preoperatively to 246 μm postoperatively within 72 h following the injection. Best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.1 to 0.6 within the same interval.

Conclusion

Dexamethasone can lead to a very fast reduction of macular edema in patients with vision loss due to CRVO and may facilitate an immediate visual rehabilitation. Retinal anatomy and visual acuity may be restored even in long-standing, recurrent cases.

Introduction

Macular edema is the most common cause of visual loss in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) [1, 2, 3]. Even though the pathogenesis of macular edema in retinal occlusive vascular disease is not yet fully understood, the presence of inflammatory cytokines as well as vascular permeability factors, such as interleukin-6, prostaglandins, and VEGF, and the consecutive breakdown of the blood-retina barrier due to endothelial cell dysregulation are postulated to cause macular edema [4, 5]. Dexamethasone has potent anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to be a favorable treatment option in patients with CRVO and BRVO [6]. So far, it is unknown how fast the macular edema can be successfully treated with dexamethasone 0.7 mg. We present a case of complete resolution of extensive recurrent macular edema and significant improvement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) within 72 h of intravitreal implantation of dexamethasone (Ozurdex®).

Case Report

In 2009, a 69-year-old man presented for the first time with impaired vision (BCVA 0.5) due to a CRVO with a macular edema in his right eye. Following intravitreal injection of bevacizumab 1.25 mg (Avastin®), his vision improved to 1.0. Five weeks later, his BCVA had dropped to 0.6. Again, he underwent intravitreal injection of bevacizumab with prompt functional improvement to BCVA 0.8. Over a period of 8 months, he experienced chronic recurring macular edema and received 4 further injections of bevacizumab in total. The last treatment was supplemented with a C-grid laser photocoagulation (n = 93 effects) 4 weeks following the last injection. At that time, the macular edema had resolved completely and vision had stabilized at 0.8. However, the macular edema recurred again 2 weeks after the laser treatment as shown in figure 1 with fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). At this time point, the central retinal thickness was 326 μm, and BCVA had dropped to 0.5. Now, the patient was treated for the first time with dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex). Four weeks after dexamethasone implantation, his BCVA had improved to 0.8, and the OCT scan revealed a resolved macular edema. Three months later, the macular edema recurred again. BCVA had dropped to 0.1, and the OCT scan revealed a pronounced macular edema with a central retinal thickness of 570 μm (fig. 2). The patient again received dexamethasone intravitreal implant in his right eye. Seventy-two hours following this second injection of Ozurdex, his BCVA had improved to 0.6, and the pronounced macular edema had resolved completely (fig. 3). Central retinal thickness had normalized to 246 μm. The patient's condition has so far been stable for at least 12 weeks.

Fig. 1.

Fluorescein angiography and OCT scan of recurrent macular edema following repeated intravitreal injections of bevacizumab and focal C-grid laser photocoagulation of the macula.

Fig. 2.

OCT scan of recurrent macular edema 3 months following repeated intravitreal injections of bevacizumab, C-grid laser photocoagulation and 1 intravitreal injection of dexamethasone 0.7 mg (Ozurdex). BCVA had dropped to 0.1. Central retinal thickness was 570 μm.

Fig. 3.

OCT scan of resolved macular edema 72 h following the second intravitreal injection of dexamethasone 0.7 mg (Ozurdex). BCVA was 0.6. Central retinal thickness was 246 μm. In the outer layers, degenerative processes are visible at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium.

Discussion

Recently, it has been shown that dexamethasone in a biodegradable drug delivery system (Ozurdex) can improve visual acuity and reduce macular edema in patients with vision loss due to retinal vein occlusion [6]. However, so far no information is available on how fast the macular edema can be antagonized by the dexamethasone implant. The data presented in this case report indicate that the dexamethasone implant has an immediate effect on macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion that sets in within the first 72 h following the intravitreal implantation of the drug. A possible explanation of this fast effect may be the relatively high intraocular dose of dexamethasone that is released from the implant. The effect of degenerative processes at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium (fig. 3), which might set in even though macular edema is resolved by the dexamethasone implant, need to be examined in the near future.

In conclusion, the dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) may lead to fast functional improvement and visual rehabilitation in patients with macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion even in recurrent or long-standing cases.

Disclosure Statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest.