# Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant in Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Pilot Study Exploring Baseline Ocular and Circulating Biomarkers

## TL;DR

This pilot study explores how an intravitreal dexamethasone implant affects retinal vein occlusion patients and identifies potential blood biomarkers that could predict treatment outcomes.

## Contribution

The study identifies serum xanthine oxidase and thrombospondin-1 as potential prognostic biomarkers for retinal vein occlusion treatment outcomes.

## Key findings

- Patients with intact retinal layers showed better visual acuity at 6 and 12 months.
- BRVO patients had better outcomes and lower baseline serum XO and TSP-1 levels.
- Ozurdex treatment significantly reduced retinal thickness over 12 months.

## Abstract

This pilot study assessed the effectiveness of the intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) in retinal vein occlusion (RVO) patients and explored potential pre-treatment biomarkers to improve management and prognosis. Eighteen patients with branch RVO (BRVO) and twenty-four with central RVO (CRVO) receiving two intravitreal injections of Ozurdex (at baseline and between 4 and 6 months) were included. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were recorded at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months. Retinal morphology was assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT), and serum biomarkers were analyzed by ELISAs. No significant BCVA improvement was observed in RVO patients, while CRT significantly decreased from 3 to 12 months. Patients without defects of the retinal inner layers, ellipsoid zone, and external limiting membrane showed significantly higher BCVA at 6 and 12 months. Both BRVO and CRVO groups demonstrated significant BCVA improvement and CRT reduction at 6 and 12 months, with better outcomes in BRVO patients. These patients exhibited lower baseline serum levels of xanthine oxidase (XO) and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), which inversely correlated with BCVA at 12 months. Ozurdex was effective in real-life RVO treatment, particularly in BRVO. Serum XO and TSP-1 may serve as prognostic biomarkers for RVO.