The Effect of Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant on Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer in Patients Diagnosed with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of a single dose of intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implant on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in a 6-month period. Materials and methods: This retrospective observational study included the patients with BRVO who received intravitreal DEX implant and whose assessment included the baseline RNFL thickness measurements. The data of 26 eyes of 24 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Spectral domain optic coherence tomography was used to measure peripapillary RNFL thickness in six regional subfields. Intraocular pressure (IOP) values at each visit were recorded. The data of single dose DEX implant during 6 months were assessed. Results: The mean preoperative and postoperative 6th month nasal RNFL values were 85.4 +/- 23.0 mu m and 82.1 +/- 17.6 mu m, respectively, and the difference between the measurements was not statistically significant (p = 0.372). There was a slight decrease in the mean RNFL values postoperatively compared to the baseline values in all quadrants except supero-temporal quadrant; however, none of them reached statistically significant level (p > 0.05). The mean IOP values before and 6 months after implantation were 15.7 +/- 2.9 mmHg and 16.5 +/- 4.2 mmHg, respectively. The difference between the 6th month IOP values and baseline IOP values was not statistically significant (p = 0.236). Conclusion: Intravitreal DEX implant seems to have no adverse effect on RNFL thickness in BRVO patients in a 6-month period.