Management of Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema Switched from Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant to Fluocinolone Acetonide Intravitreal Implant

• Main Authors: Stéphanie Baillif (Author), Pascal Staccini (Author), Michel Weber (Author), Marie-Noëlle Delyfer (Author), Yannick Le Mer (Author), Vincent Gualino (Author), Laurence Collot (Author), Pierre-Yves Merite (Author), Catherine Creuzot-Garcher (Author), Laurent Kodjikian (Author), Pascale Massin (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2022-11-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

To assess anatomical and functional outcomes after switching from dexamethasone implant (DEXi) to fluocinolone acetonide implant (FAci) in 113 diabetic macular edema eyes, a multicentric retrospective observational study was conducted. Seventy-five eyes (73.5%) were switched 1-8 weeks after their last DEXi. The mean best-corrected visual acuity improved to 59.8 letters at month 4 and remained stable during the follow-up. The mean central macular thickness (CMT) significantly decreased during the follow-up, with a minimum of 320.9 μm at month 3. The baseline CMT was higher in eyes that received the last DEXi >8 weeks versus <8 weeks before the first FAci (<i>p</i> < 0.021). After FAci injection, additional treatments were needed in 37 (32.7%) eyes. A longer diabetes duration (<i>p</i> = 0.009), a longer time between the last DEXi and the first FAci (<i>p</i> = 0.035), and a high baseline CMT (<i>p</i> = 0.003) were risk factors for additional treatments. The mean intraocular pressure was <19 mmHg at all timepoints, with no difference between eyes receiving the last DEXi ≤8 weeks or >8 weeks before the switch. Switching from DEXi to FAci in DME is effective and safe. A short time between the last DEXi and the first FAci reduced CMT fluctuations and the need for early additional treatments.

Item Description

10.3390/pharmaceutics14112391
1999-4923