Intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) for macular edema secondary to retinitis pigmentosa

To evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes of intravitreal dexamethasone implant in patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Three patients (four eyes), aged 24 to 46 years, presented with refractory ME secondary to RP. Intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) was administered to treat ME. The anatomical (central macular thickness [CMT]) and functional (best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA]) outcomes as well as adverse events were recorded.

All patients completed 6 months follow-up. After intravitreal Ozurdex all patients showed regression of ME. At baseline, mean CMT was 443 ± 185 μm (range 213-619 μm); ME improved to 234 ± 68 μm (range 142-307 μm) at 1 month, to 332 ± 177 μm (range 139-513 μm) at 3 months, and to 305 ± 124 μm (range 144-447 μm) at 6 months. Recurrent ME was recorded in 2 patients (both patients at 3 months from intravitreal dexamethasone implant). Retreatment with intravitreal Ozurdex was performed in two patients. Mean BCVA improved form 20/160 (range 20/50-20/200) (baseline) to 20/100 (range 20/40-20/125) at 1 month, to ∼20/125 (range 20/100-20/200) at 3 months, and to ∼ 20/125 (range 20/100-20/160) at 6 months. No serious ocular and systemic adverse events were observed during the study period.

Intravitreal dexamethasone implant provides anatomic and functional improvements and may represent a valuable treatment option for patients with ME secondary to RP.