INTRAVITREAL DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT IN RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA-RELATED CYSTOID MACULAR EDEMA

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) can lead to cystoid macular edema (CME), impacting visual function.
• Intravitreal corticosteroid injections are a potential treatment for CME in RP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical outcomes of intravitreal dexamethasone implant in patients with RP and CME.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter retrospective case series involving 45 eyes from 34 patients with RP and CME.
• Intravitreal dexamethasone implant was administered.
• Primary outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT).

Main Results:

• Mean BCVA improved significantly at 3 months post-injection (LogMAR 0.61 to 0.37, P=0.012).
• Mean CMT decreased significantly (506 μm to 311.7 μm, P<0.001).
• Intraocular pressure increased (P=0.01), and seven eyes developed visually significant cataracts.

Conclusions:

• Intravitreal dexamethasone implant can improve BCVA and reduce CMT in RP patients with CME for up to 4 months.
• Pseudophakic eyes, steroid nonresponsive eyes, those with large initial CMT, and profuse leakage benefited most.
• The treatment effect was durable with repeat injections, despite potential side effects like cataracts.