Dexamethasone implant bevacizumab combo treats CRVO

Ozurdex, a dexamethasone implant, combined with bevacizumab successfully treats central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), claims a recent paper.

The investigation headed by Dr W. J. Mayer, Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximillans University, Munich, Germany, prospectively assessed 64 eyes.

This included 22 CRVO patients and 16 branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) patients in group 1 treated with Ozurdex alone. Group 2 consisted of 14 CRVO and 12 BRVO patients treated with three consecutive bevacizumab injections followed by Ozurdex. Any recurrences were treated with Ozurdex only and patients were seen preoperatively and in monthly intervals postoperatively. The primary outcome was BCVA at 12 months.

In group 1 BCVA improved by 6.6 letters in CRVO and 7.8 in BRVO patients. In group 2 by 9.8 and 9.5 letters in CRVO and BRVO patients, respectively.

There was a significant difference observed between CRVO patients in group 1 and 2 at 12 months. After the first Ozurdex injection, recurrence after 3.8 and 3.5 months in the CRVO and BRVO patients in group 1 and 3.2 and 3.7 months in group 2.

Combined bevacizumab treatment and Ozurdex implantation demonstrated slightly better functional outcome for CRVO patients. When treating patients with just Ozurdex there may be a chance of increased IOP and cataract progression.

The abstract can be read in the latest online issue of the journal Eye.