Outcomes of Dexamethasone Implant Treatment in Patients with Diabetic Macula Edema Anatomically Unresponsive to Intravitreal Bevacizumab Treatment: Early Switch to Dexamethasone Study

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the anatomical and visual outcomes of switching to intravitreal dexamethasone implant (IVD) in patients with diabetic macula edema unresponsive to 3 monthly consecutive intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB). Methods: This retrospective study included patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) who showed anatomically poor response to 3 consecutive IVB injections and were switched to IVD treatment in early period. In the study population best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and central retinal thickness (CRT) were recorded at baseline, and on months 3, 6, 9, and 12. Results: Overall, 27 eyes of 24 patients were included in our study. The mean age was 61.5 ± 9.5 years. The mean BCVA at baseline was 0.70 ± 0.21 LogMAR while the mean BCVA after 3 consecutive IVB injections was 0.69 ± 0.19 LogMAR. (p:0.83). The mean BCVA was 0.52 ± 0.21 LogMAR, 0.39 ± 0.22 LogMAR and 0.45 ± 0.27 LogMAR at 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. (p=0.013, p=0.002, p