Dexamethasone intravitreal implant for macular edema following retinal vein occlusion

Retinal vein occlusion is a major cause of vision loss worldwide, second only to diabetic retinopathy among retinal vascular disorders. A novel bioerodable corticosteroid implant composed of 0.7 mg dexamethasone designed for in-office injection has recently been approved for the treatment of macular edema resulting from retinal vein occlusion, a major mechanism for decreased vision in the condition. Following a single injection, subjects in the Phase III clinical trial achieved three lines of visual acuity improvement significantly faster than subjects who received sham injection. Following repeat injection 6 months later, subjects achieved similar gains with manageable levels of increased intraocular pressure and cataract development. The dexamethasone intravitreal implant is an important option in the management of macular edema following retinal vein occlusion.