Acute and subacute intraocular pressure and macular microvascular structure changes after intravitreal ranibizumab injection in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To investigate early changes in the intraocular pressure (IOP) and macular microvascular structure in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) treated with intravitreal Ranibizumab injection. Methods This study enrolled 30 patients (one eye per patient) who received intravitreal injections (IVI) of ranibizumab for macular edema secondary to BRVO. IOP were measured before, 30 min (min) and 1 month following IVI. Changes in macular microvascular structure were examined via assessment of foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters, vascular density (VD) of superficial vascular complex (SVC), and deep vascular complex (DVC) in whole macula, central fovea and parafovea area which were measured automatically by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) on the same time as IOP examinations. Paired t test and Wilcoxon test were used to compare pre- and post-injection values. The correlation between IOP and OCTA findings was assessed. Results IOP Measurements at 30 min post-IVI (17.91 ± 3.36 mmHg) increased significantly from baseline (15.07 ± 2.58 mmHg, p 0.05). There were no significant correlations between IOP and OCTA findings no matter 30 min or 1 month post-IVI (P > 0.05). Conclusions Transient IOP elevation and decreased superficial macular capillary perfusion density were detected 30 min post-IVI, however, no potential continual macular microvascular damage was suspected.

Keywords

• Intravitreal ranibizumab injection
• Intraocular pressure
• Macular microvascular structure
• Branch retinal vein occlusion