Optical biometry-based axial length alterations after intravitreal dexamethasone implant.

Abstract

PURPOSE\nTo investigate changes in axial length after intravitreal dexamethasone implantation in patients with macular edema.\n\n\nMETHODS\nWe performed a prospective comparative study of 46 patients with unilateral macular edema, due to diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and non-infectious uveitis, who underwent dexamethasone implantation. The fellow eyes of the patients were considered the control group. The central macular thickness was measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and axial length was measured by IOLMaster 700 optical coherence biometry. We compared axial length and central macular thickness values within the groups.\n\n\nRESULTS\nIn the study group, the baseline central macular thickness was 460.19 ± 128.64 mm, significantly decreasing to 324.00 ± 79.84 mm after dexamethasone implantation (p=0.000). No significant change in central macular thickness measurements was seen in the control group (p=0.244). In the study group, the baseline axial length was 23.16 ± 0.68 mm, significantly increasing to 23.22 ± 0.65 mm after dexamethasone implantation (p=0.039). However, the control group exhibited no significant change in axial length (p=0.123).\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nIn addition to significantly reducing central macular thickness measurements, intravitreal dexamethasone implantation also significantly changes optical biometry-based axial length measurements.