The efficacy and complication of intravitreal dexamethasone implant in diabetic macular edema – Novel use as a primary treatment modality

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigates an intravitreal dexamethasone implant and its efficacy and complications in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, interventional study involving 30 eyes of 20 patients with DME. Patients' eyes with DME which were pseudophakic with a visual acuity of 6/12 or less and a central macular thickness (CMT) of 300 microns or more on optical coherence tomography were included. Primary efficacy variables were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), CMT, and intraocular pressure (IOP), noted at baseline. The patients were followed up and parameters noted at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months following the implant into the vitreous cavity. Results: Eyes receiving the implant had a significant improvement (P < 0.001) in BCVA and gained a mean of 6.10 letters on the Snellen chart over the 3-month period. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in CMT in the eyes receiving the implant. The mean increase in IOP over the 3-month follow-up, although statistically significant, was well within the normal physiological range. Conclusion: The study concluded that intravitreal dexamethasone implant is an effective treatment for DME, and it has a statistically significant and clinically meaningful effect on BCVA and CMT.