Long-term efficacy and safety of intravitreal dexamethasone implant for the treatment of diabetic macular edema

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of the dexamethasone intravitreal implant Ozurdex (R) in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: This was a retrospective noncomparative study. A total of 23 patients with DME followed for at least 12 months were included. All patients were treated with at least 2 Ozurdex (R) injections for the treatment of DME. Best-corrected visual acuity, central retinal thickness, intraocular pressure (IOP), and cataract progression were recorded over 12 months. Results: From baseline, the mean decrease in central retinal thickness was 315.9 mu m at the 12th month and the mean best-corrected visual acuity improvement from baseline was 8.7 letters. Ozurdex (R) is administered via the extended release system Novadur r. Its efficacy extends beyond 4 months with a single injection and permits allows good stabilization until the 12th month, with 2.13 injections during this period. An increase in IOP was observed in 13.1% of patients and all were managed using topical IOP-lowering medications. No glaucoma or cataract surgery was necessary, and no endophthalmitis was reported. Conclusions: In real-life clinical practice, Ozurdex (R) has anatomical and functional effectiveness for the treatment of DME. Side effects were rare and manageable in our practice.