Intravitreal dexamethasone for diabetic macular edema: a pilot study.

Author(s): Chan CK, Mohamed S, Lee VY, Lai TY, Shanmugam MP, Lam DS

Affiliation(s): Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.

Publication date & source: 2010-01, Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging., 41(1):26-30.

Publication type: Comparative Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine the response and safety profile of intravitreal dexamethasone in treating diabetic macular edema. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective pilot study, 12 eyes of 12 patients with diabetic macular edema were randomized to receive a single injection of 0.4 mg (n = 6) or 0.8 mg (n = 6) of intravitreal dexamethasone. The outcome measures were changes in best-corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness on optical coherence tomography. Side effects were monitored. RESULTS: The 3-month results were reported. In both dosage groups, there were transient improvements in best-corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness, but the changes were not significant at any time point (best-corrected visual acuity: P > or = 0.14; central foveal thickness: P > or = .08). No significant side effects were observed, except one eye developed a peak intraocular pressure of greater than 21 mm Hg. CONCLUSION: A single injection of intravitreal dexamethasone (0.4 or 0.8 mg) did not have significant beneficial effects on diabetic macular edema within 3 months from injection in this small pilot study. Copyright 2010, SLACK Incorporated.