Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 12-month intravitreal dexamethasone implant for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).
Methods :
The present study is a retrospective chart review of eyes affected by DME that received a 700-μg dexamethasone implant and were monthly monitored with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, complete ophthalmologic evaluation and swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) imaging for at least 12 months. Re-treatment was performed at investigator discretion on the basis of functional or morphological criteria. The primary efficacy outcome was a change in BCVA (logMAR). Secondary outcomes included reduction in central retinal thickness (CRT) and number of injections administered. The incidence of ocular and non-ocular adverse events was recorded.
Results :
The study included 20 eyes with DME. A significant improvement of BCVA and CRT was observed during the study period (p=0.001 and p<0.0001, respectively). At 12 months visual acuity (±SD) improved on average by 0.15 (±0.2) logMAR (n.s.) and mean reduction in CRT (±SD) was 150 (±116) μm (P<0.01). Five eyes (25%) only receive the first treatment during one year of follow-up. Twelve patients (60%) experienced a recurrence of DME between 4 and 6 months after the first injection and required an additional treatment. Patients received on average 2.6 treatments in 12 months. Six eyes (30%) required topical treatment due to an intraocular pressure increase and 33% of phakic eyes at baseline needed cataract surgery.
Conclusions :
Intravitreal dexamethasone implant is an effective and safe option for the treatment of DME on an as needed basis and can offer a valid alternative to anti-VEGF therapy with lower number of treatments.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.