Abstract
Purpose :
The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) implant 0.7 mg (Ozurdex™) in eyes with treatment-naïve diffuse diabetic macular edema (DME) compared to cases refractory to anti-VEGF treatments. Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness, characterized by capillary leakage, fluid accumulation, and retinal thickening. Dexamethasone (DEX) intravitreal implant is a biodegradable implant, providing sustained release into the vitreous for up to 6 months.
Methods :
A restropective study was conducted on eyes with naïve DME and eyes with DME refractory to at least 3 consecutive anti-VEGF injections that received a DEX implant (±photocoagulation). Patients were included with following criteria before treatment: Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 15-72 ETDRS letters, central macular thickness (CMT) >300 µm and intraocular pressure (IOP) <25 mm Hg. After treatment with the DEX implant (±photocoagulation), BCVA, CMT and total macular volume (TMV) were assessed monthly for 6 months and then every 4 months until the end of the study.The predefined primary efficacy endpoint for the FDA was achievement of ≥15-letter improvement in BCVA from baseline to study end in each group. Safety measures included adverse events and intraocular pressure (IOP).
Results :
96 eyes with DME of 96 patients (60 naïve; 36 refractory) were included.The percentage of patients with ≥15-letter improvement in BCVA was 35 % overall (50 % for naïve and 20% for refractory). At every visit, BCVA improved significantly from baseline in both groups (p < 0.001), but values were significantly better in the naïve group. Mean average reduction in CRT standard deviation was 120 ±20 μm. CMT and TMV decreased significantly (p < 0.001) and similarly in both groups.40% of phakic eyes developed cataract. IOP increased by 20% from baseline. Only 1 patient needed trabeculectomy.The naïve group needed less photocoagulations (p = 0.001). Mean number of treatments received over 2 years was 3 DEX implants
Conclusions :
DEX implant causes substantial anatomical and functional improvement in naïve and refractory DME. However, the benefit was greater in the treatment-naïve group. Further prospective studies are needed in order to determine the role of DEX implant in the treatment algorithm of DME.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.