Results of intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex®) for retinal vascular diseases with macular edema: An observational study of real-life situations

To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone implants (Ozurdex (R)) for the treatment of macular edema (ME) associated with retinal vascular diseases in real-life situations. This retrospective study included patients with ME associated with retinal vascular occlusion (RVO) or diabetic macular edema (DME) treated with dexamethasone implants. Demographic data, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and central retinal thickness (CRT) at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively were collected and analyzed, and the adverse events were recorded. Forty-four eyes, 42 patients were included in the study. The mean logMAR BCVA improved from 0.79 +/- 0.38 at baseline to 0.60 +/- 0.34 (P < 0.001), 0.72 +/- 0.38 (P = .002), and 0.72 +/- 0.37 (P = .002) at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. The CRT decreased from 526.70 +/- 159.58 mu m at baseline to 279 +/- 66.23, 422.91 +/- 206.99, and 350.23 +/- 151.51 mu m at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively (P < 0.001, all visits). The average number of injections was 1.43 +/- 0.5. Nineteen eyes (43.18%) received second injections at an interval of 4.20 +/- 0.61 months. The mean logMAR BCVA was greater in RVO than in DME patients and in treatment-naive eyes than in previously treated ones. The baseline CRT of the reinjection group was significantly higher than that of the single-injection group for both the RVO (P < 0.001) and DME groups (P = .002). Nine eyes (20.45%) with increasing intraocular pressure (IOP) were well controlled with medication, and cataract progression was observed in five eyes (21.73%) during follow-up. The dexamethasone implant was effective for the treatment of macular edema secondary to RVO and DME in terms of visual acuity and CRT improvement over 6 months. The visual acuity was greater in the RVO and treatment-naive eyes. Reinjection may be associated with a high baseline CRT. The increase in the occurrence of IOP and cataract progression was similar to that reported in previous studies.

Automated summary

This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone implants for treating macular edema associated with retinal vascular diseases. The results showed improvements in visual acuity and central retinal thickness over a 6-month period. Reinjection may be associated with a higher baseline retinal thickness.