Long-term management of non-ischemic central retinal vein occlusion with fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant 190 μg (ILUVIEN®)

INTRODUCTION: Macular edema after central retinal vein occlusion is a common cause of vision loss. Upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and higher levels of inflammatory mediators have been involved in the pathogeny of the macular edema in central retinal vein occlusion. CASE REPORT: The authors report a case with non-ischemic central retinal vein occlusion that was successfully treated with a single sustained-release fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant. After a course of repeated injections of shorter-acting corticosteroid, the affected eye presented a visual acuity of 20/200 and a central subfield foveal thickness of 587 µm. After fluocinolone acetonide in intravitreal implant and during a follow-up period of 12 months, a continuous and sustained increase in visual acuity until 20/25 with significant anatomical improvements and an acceptable safety profile was observed. CONCLUSION: These results, demonstrate that fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant might be an effective treatment option in macular edema secondary to non-ischemic central retinal vein occlusion.