2Doç. Dr., Medeniyet Üniversitesi Göztepe Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Göz Hastalıkları, İstanbul - TÜRKİYE
3Uz. Dr., İstanbul Fatih Sultan Mehmet Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Göz Hastalıkları, İstanbul - TÜRKİYE Purpose: To assess the short-term safety and effi cacy of intravitreal dexamethasone implant (DEX implant) in patients with persistent diabetic macular edema.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted 24 eyes of 19 patients with persistent diabetic macular edema (?250 ?m) though macular laser and antivegf agents. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), intraocular pressure(IOP), adverse events and morphological changes on OCT were examined at baseline, month 1, 3 and 4.
Results: Preoperative mean BCVA was 0.80±0.40 (logMAR) and signifi cantly improved 1 (0.59±0.30) and 3 months (0.64±0.35) after injection (p<0.001). Preoperative mean CMT was 586±203?m and decreased to 230±77 and 274±115 1 and 3 months after injection (p<0.001), respectively. Mean BCVA and CMT values were also similarly improved for the 4 month follow-up. Reinjection required after 3 months in 63% and after 4 months in 88% of patients. No serious adverse events were observed. 21 % of patients only had a preserved ellipsoid zone.
Conclusion: DEX implant seems to be an effective and safe treatment in patients with persistent diabetic macular edema. However, drug effectiveness is short and ellipsoid zone loss seems to be the main problem that limits the success of treatment in this diffi - cult-to-treat patient population
Keywords : dexamethasone, macular edema, retina