Clinical Ophthalmology (Sep 2019)
Real-world retrospective comparison of 0.19 mg fluocinolone acetonide and 0.7 mg dexamethasone intravitreal implants for the treatment of diabetic macular edema in vitrectomized eyes
Abstract
João Coelho1, Luísa Malheiro1, João Melo Beirão1,2, Angelina Meireles1,2, Bernardete Pessoa1,2 1Unit of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Do Porto, Porto, Portugal; 2Unit of Ophthalmology, Universidade Do Porto-Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Porto, PortugalCorrespondence: João CoelhoUnit of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, Porto 4099-001, PortugalTel +351 91 765 6826Email [email protected]: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term real-world effectiveness of FAc and DEX implants in vitrectomized DME eyes in a real-world setting.Methods: This was a non-interventional, retrospective, comparative study of 46 vitrectomized eyes in 33 patients with persistent or recurrent DME quantified best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) over up to 37 months.Results: Both FAc and DEX treatment led to statistically and clinically significant improvements in BCVA and CFT. FAc >10-letter improvement on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] chart over months 3–24 and a sustained ∼200 μm CFT reduction over months 1–24; DEX: >5-letter improvement on the ETDRS chart at months 1 and 3 and >100 μm CFT reduction at month 1. FAc demonstrated sustained, stable and predictable effects on BCVA and CFT over 24 months and also improved BCVA and decreased CFT in a cohort of DME eyes that was refractory to DEX over 6 months.Conclusion: This real-world study demonstrates long-term effectiveness of FAc in vitrectomized DME eyes and sustained effectiveness in DME eyes that did not respond to DEX therapy.Keywords: diabetic macular edema, fluocinolone acetonide, dexamethasone implant, intravitreal implants, real-world, vitrectomy
