Purpose To compare dexamethasone (DEX) intravitreal implant effect in nonvitrectomized (non-PPV) vs vitrectomized (PPV) eyes with macular edema (ME) secondary to non-infectious uveitis. Methods Medical records of patients with uveitic ME treated with DEX-intravitreal implant were reviewed. Main outcome measures were changes in central retinal thickness (CRT), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), vitreous haze and adverse events. Statistical analysis was performed by Longitudinal Linear model using the General Estimating Equation methodology. Results Forty-two eyes of 32 patients were included. Median follow-up time was 18 months (interquartile range (IQR): 12-24). Median CRT showed its maximum decrease at the first month in non-PPV and PPV eyes without statistically significant differences between both groups (P = NS). Median Snellen BCVA, converted to logarithm (LogMAR), showed its maximum improvement at third month in both groups without statistically significant differences between them (P = NS). Median IOP was higher in non-PPV eyes than in PPV eyes from third (P = 0.025) to 12th month (P = 0.013). Vitreous haze score improved in both groups since first month and showed no differences (P = 0.706). Reinjection was performed in 45.2% of eyes at a median time of 5 months IQR: (5-6). Ocular hypertension (47.6%) was the most common adverse event.Conclusions DEX-intravitreal implant for uveitic ME has similar long-term safety profile and good response measured in terms of CRT decrease, BCVA, and vitreous haze improvement in both groups. Non-PPV eyes following DEX-intravitreal implant showed higher IOP increase than PPV eyes, showing the need for close IOP monitoring.
In this small case series of eyes with limited follow-up, treatment with dexamethasone intravitreal implant injection for uveitic macular edema in vitrectomized eyes was associated with favorable visual outcomes and had an acceptable safety profile.
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