Título / Title

INTRAVITREAL DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT AS A FIRST-LINE TREATMENT IN PSEUDOPHAKIC MACULAR EDEMA: A 12-MONTH FOLLOW-UP STUDY.

Introdução / Purpose

To demonstrate the efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implant as a first-line treatment for pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) during a 12-month follow-up period.

Material e Método / Methods

This multicenter prospective study assessed best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) in naive eyes treated with dexamethasone (DEX) implant. Linear regression analysis was statistically applied to test for significant changes in temporal trends during follow-up.

Resultados / Results

A total of 42 eyes were included. BCVA, CRT and intraocular pressure (IOP) were recorded and compared after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Retreatment with a second implant was performed if BCVA declined by 10 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters or CRT was reduced to less than 20% of baseline. Patients presented a monthly gain of 1.78 ETDRS letters (p = 0.023; CI 95%: 0.46 to 3.10) and a reduction in CRT of 14.93 µm (p = 0.048; CI 95%: - 29.60 to – 0.26). After 12 months, the overall improvement in vision was 82.5 ± 8.28 ETDRS letters, and CRT had decreased by 314.21 ± 77.06 µm. Three eyes needed retreatment after 6 months. No significant changes in IOP were observed.

Discussão e Conclusões / Conclusion

Over 12 months, DEX implants demonstrated satisfactory safety and efficacy as a first-line option for the treatment of PCME.

Palavras Chave

Dexamethasone; Intravitreal Injections; Macular Edema; Tomography, Optical Coherence.