METHODS: Totally 30 patients with ME, which had developed secondary to either CRVO(13 eyes)or BRVO(17 eyes), were monitored for 6mo after treatment with Ozurdex in the Department of Ophthalmology of our Hospital. We measured the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), intraocular pressure(IOP), central macular thickness(CMT)at different time after treatment(1wk, 1mo, 2mo, 3mo, 4mo, 5mo, and 6mo after treatment), and we also measured the Chinese version vision related quality of life questionnaire-25(CVRQoL-25)at 3mo after treatment and compared them separately with the ones measured before treatment to evaluate the efficacy, adverse reactions and the visual related quality of life.

RESULTS: Generalized estimation equation results showed that BCVA, CMT and IOP all had differences at different time points(P<0.001). A BCVA increase was achieved and CMT decreased in all patients at any time point after the onset of treatment(P<0.001). The changes of BCVA and CMT were the largest in the 2mo compared to the baseline(P<0.001). The score of CVRQol-25 at 3mo after treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment and then the central retinal thickness decreased and a BCVA increased compared to the baseline level(P<0.01). The score of CVRQoL-25 at 3mo was negatively correlated both with the LogMAR BCVA evaluated before treatment and at 3mo after treatment(rs= -0.717, -0.746, all P<0.001); Meanwhile, the score of CVRQoL-25 was also negatively correlated with CMT at 3mo after treatment(rs= -0.862, P=0.001). In 19 eyes(63%)of the patients with RVO-ME,a relapse was observed after a follow-up time of 1-3mo and the average recurrence time was(2.8±0.5)mo. In follow-up of 6mo, about(2.3±0.4)intravitreal Ozurdex injections per eye was observed. The increase in IOP was observed at 1wk, 1, 2, 3mo after pretherapy(P<0.05). The mean IOP values reached a peak at 2mo after injection, which rose(7.85±0.32)mmHg above the baseline level(P<0.05)and decreased to normal at 4mo after treatment. 10% of patients had an elevation in IOP above 25mmHg, which could be medically controlled and 4 eyes(13%)of patients had cataract formation, two of which needed to surgery.

CONCLUSION: Ozurdex proved to be efficacious with increase in visual acuity and reduction of central retinal thickness and improve the visual function-related quality of life of RVO-ME patients. After single injection of Ozurdex, visual acuity benefited for 2-3mo. 63% of the patients relapsed at about 3mo after treatment. Adverse reactions associated to the use of Ozurdex include the formation of cataracts and an increase in IOP.