Dexamethasone intravitreal implant for pseudophakic cystoid macular edema in patients with diabetes

Diabetic patients are at a higher risk of developing pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) after cataract surgery. This study evaluated the effect of dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX Implant 0.7 mg, Ozurdex; Allergan, Irvine, CA) in diabetic patients with PCME.

In this prospective case series, six patients with diabetes who developed PCME despite topical anti-inflammatory therapy were treated with a single dexamethasone implant. Outcome measures included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central subfoveal thickness.

The mean increase in BCVA from baseline to day 180 was 14 letters (P = .03); four of six patients (67%) achieved greater than 10-letter improvement in BCVA. The mean decrease in central subfoveal thickness was 100 µm (P < .01 vs baseline) by day 30 and 72 µm by day 180 (P = .004).

A dexamethasone implant may be an effective treatment for diabetic patients who develop pseudophakic cystoid macular edema after cataract surgery.