Abstract
Purpose :
To report the effect on visual acuity of repeated injections of dexamethasone implants in eyes with recalcitrant diabetic macular edema despite prior therapies with minimum follow-up, imaging, and treatment of side effects.
Methods :
This is a retrospective non–randomized study of patients who received intravitreal dexamethasone implantation for persistent, diabetic macular edema for at least one year of treatment after insufficient response to anti-VEGF treatment .
Main outcome measures included changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and hemoglobin A1c level.
A complete Ophthalmological examination included: best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA) using
Snellen’s charts, CMT assestment, using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.
Results :
Nineteen eyes of 13 patients (mean age 67 years ± 5) were included in the study. Before entering in the study patiens had undergone 2 cycles antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF).
Patients with cataract surgery, vitreoretinal surgery or laser therapy in the previous six months have been excluded.
All patients received topical correction of intraocular hypertension.
The mean number of intravitreal implants in 12 months was 2,5 (±0,6).
Conclusions :
In real-life clinical practice, Ozurdex has anatomical and functional effectiveness for the treatment of persistent, chronical diabetic edema: from baseline, the mean decrease in central macular thickness had clinically significant statistical changes. The visual gain after initial implant injection was fairly maintained. Its efficacy extends beyond 12 months and permits good stabilization of BCVA .
Side effects were rare and manageable in our practice.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.