Treatment of refractory diabetic macular edema with a fluocinolone acetonide implant in vitrectomized and non-vitrectomized eyes

AIM: To report real-life data on the use of an intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide implant in the treatment of refractory diabetic macular edema(DME) in pars plana vitrectomized(PPV) and non-PPV eyes.METHODS: This was a comparative retrospective observational study of 23 eyes with chronic DME. Bestcorrected visual acuity(BCVA) and central macular thickness(CMT) were recorded at baseline, 1, 4 and 12 mo. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were performed to analyze and compare PPV and non-PPV eyes. RESULTS: Seven PPV and 16 non-PPV eyes were included in the study. Median BCVA in the non-PPV group varied from 0.65 logMAR [Interquartile range(IQR): 0.40] at baseline to 0.42 logMAR(IQR: 0.40) at 12 mo. Median CMT varied from 430 μm(IQR: 131.3) at baseline to 317 μm(IQR: 107.5) at 12 mo. Median BCVA in the PPV group varied from 0.60 logMAR(IQR: 0.62) at baseline to 0.74 logMAR(IQR: 0.34) at 12 mo. Median CMT varied from 483 μm(IQR: 146) at baseline to 397 μm(IQR: 132) at 12 mo. Of 0/7 eyes and 1/16 eyes in the PPV and non-PPV eyes respectively had a baseline visual acuity of 6/12 or better(0.3 logMAR). At last follow up, 1/7 and 5/16 eyes in the PPV and non-PPV group respectively achieved a visual acuity of 6/12 or better.CONCLUSION: Visual outcomes are modest following the use of the fluocinolone acetonide implant for chronic DME. The steroid implant is a useful treatment option in the management of refractory DME in vitrectomized and non-vitrectmized eyes.

Intravitreal corticosteroids for diabetic macular edema:a network meta‑analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of different intravitreal corticosteroids for treating diabetic macular edema(DME).Methods:Four databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials comparing different intravitreal corticosteroids for treating DME.The primary outcome was the change in best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)within 6 months after the first injection(short-term BCVA).Secondary outcomes were the change in BCVA over 1 year(long-term BCVA)and changes in central macular thickness(CMT)and intraocular pressure(IOP)within 6 months after the first injection.Network meta-analysis was performed to aggregate the results from the individual studies.Results:Nineteen trials involving 2839 eyes were included.Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide(TA)injections(≥8 mg and 4-8 mg),fluocinolone acetonide(FA)implants(0.5μg/day)and dexamethasone(DEX)implants(700μg)improved short-term BCVA(mean changes in logMAR[95%confidence interval]−0.27[−0.40,−0.15];−0.12[−0.18,−0.06];−0.10[−0.21,−0.01];and−0.06[−0.11,−0.01]).Intravitreal TA injections(4 mg,multiple times),FA implants(0.5μg/day and 0.2μg/day),and DEX implants(350μg)improved long-term BCVA(mean changes in logMAR[95%confidence interval]−0.11[−0.21,−0.02];−0.09[−0.15,−0.03];−0.09[−0.14,−0.02];and−0.04[−0.07,−0.01]).All intravitreal corticosteroids reduced CMT,and different dosages of TA did not show significant differences in increasing IOP.Conclusions:Intravitreal corticosteroids effectively improved BCVA in DME patients,with higher dosages showing greater efficacies.TA was not inferior to FA or DEX and may be considered a low-cost alternative choice for DME patients.The long-term efficacy and safety of different corticosteroids deserve further investigation.