Yozgat, Z.Işik, M.U.2024-01-302024-01-302024https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12597/18990Purpose: To compare the outcomes of early or late switching from intravitreal (IV) anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection to IV Dexamethasone (DEX) implant injection in treatment-naïve patients with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion. Methods: This study included 68 eyes of 68 treatment-naïve BRVO patients who started anti-VEGF treatment. After the loading dose, the patients were divided into two groups: Early DEX group (n:34) (DEX implant treatment started after 3 loading doses) and Late DEX group (n:34) (DEX implant treatment started after 6 months). Visual acuity and examination findings were recorded at baseline, 3rd, 6th, and 12th month follow-ups. Optical coherence tomography data were recorded for central macular subfield thickness assessment. Results: A total of 30 (44.1%) women and 38 (55.9%) men participated, and the average age was 67.6 ± 6.4 years. The mean letter gains at week 52 was 15.1 and 20.9 in the Early DEX and Late DEX groups, respectively. The group with the highest gain of ≥15 letters was the Late DEX group (26/34 patients) and the gain of ≥15 letters was 14/34 in the Early DEX group (p: 0.006). At week 52, the anatomical gain was 115.3 µm and 136.9 µm in the Early DEX and Late DEX groups, respectively. Conclusions: A gain of 15 or more letters was demonstrated to be higher in patients who switched to DEX implant late after anti-VEGF treatment. If it is necessary to switch, the late switch may be more effective for more visual gain at the end of the first year.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessAnti-VEGFbevacizumabbranch retinal vein occlusiondexamethasonemacular edemaswitchArticle10.1080/08820538.2024.231066238282256