Minimally Invasive Microincision Vitrectomy Surgery with an lntraoperative Dexamethasone Implant for Refractory Diabetic Macular Edema

Purpose: To evaluate the 1-year results of 25-gauge micro incision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS25) combined with intra-operative dexamethasone (DEX) implant for persistent diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: This study enrolled patients who had a history of DME for >= 12 months and underwent MIVS25 and DEX implant injection. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were assessed postoperatively. Results: Eighteen eyes were included in the analysis. Preoperatively, IogMAR BCVA was 0.90 and CRT was 594 mu m on average. CRT decreased until the 3-month follow-up visit and tended to increase at 6 months, but stabilized at 12 months with additional treatments in five eyes at 5 months postoperatively. Statistically significant improvement in BCVA was noted 1 month after treatment and at each subsequent follow-up visit (p < 0.001). Conclusion: MIVS25 combined with DEX implant injection might be utilized as an effective and safe alternative treatment for intractable DME. (C) 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel