Purpose To determine the effect of short-term 4 mg/mL dexamethasone solution treatment in diabetic macular edema (DME). Patients and methods Twenty-seven pseudophakic diabetic patients with visual impairment caused by DME were randomized to receive 0.01 mL (40 μg), 0.03 mL (120 μg) or 0.05 mL (200 μg) intravitreal dexamethasone solution. Eyes were evaluated in terms of macular thickness, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) at 3, 7 and 28 days after injection (D). Results There was a significant reduction in macular thickness between D0 and D3 for all groups (0.01 mL – P =0.008, 0.03 mL – P =0.038, and 0.05 mL – P =0.008). Between D0 and D7, a significant reduction in macular thickness was observed in 0.01 mL and 0.05 mL groups (0.01 mL – P =0.013 and 0.05 mL – P =0.021). Between D0 and D28, no significant reduction of macular thickness was observed for any group. Between D0 and D3, a significant improvement in BCVA in the 0.03 mL group ( P =0.028) was observed. Between D0 and D7, a significant improvement in BCVA was observed in 0.01 mL and 0.03 mL groups (0.01 mL – P =0.018 and 0.03 mL – P =0.027). Between D0 and D28, a significant improvement in BCVA was observed for the 0.01 mL group ( P =0.017). No significant differences in IOP measurements were observed for any group. Safety analysis revealed no serious ocular or systemic events. Conclusion and relevance Intravitreal dexamethasone solution is effective in reducing macular thickness secondary to DME in the short-term. Improvement in short-term visual acuity was observed. Although DME requires long-term treatment, it may be a low cost therapeutic option used in specific short-term situations. Trial registration: NCT03608839 ( http://www.clinicaltrials.gov ).

INTRODUCTION: It is estimated that approximately 50% of patients with epilepsy have difficulty finding employment. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the employment situation and driving license of patients with symptomatic or probably symptomatic focal epilepsy and correlate it with clinical and socio-demographic aspects. METHODS: Ninety-two patients were classified into 3 groups: "employed", "unemployed" and "retired/on leave". The relationship between employment and socio-demographic aspects and those of epilepsy was studied, and also whether the patients were holders of national driving licenses. RESULTS: Thirty-one (33.7%) of the patients were employed, 19 (20.7%) unemployed and 33 (35.9%) retired/on leave. Patients with formal education of less than 9 years predominated (p<0.05) in the "retired/on leave" group and non-white patients were more frequently unemployed. Of 58 patients who lost their jobs, 27 (46.6%) reported that epilepsy was the main reason (p<0.05). There was a significant relationship between the occurrence of ES at work and unemployment and "leave/retirement" (p<0.05). There was no relationship between clinical aspects and the employment situation. Nineteen (33.9%) of the 56 surveyed reported being holders of driving licenses. DISCUSSION: There was a high index of unemployment and retired/on leave individuals. There was a relationship between unemployment and the occurrence of ES at work and with a low scholastic level. CONCLUSION: The low scholastic level/professional qualifications and the stigma aggravated the employment perspectives of these individuals, contributing to their social exclusion.

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