Efficacy and safety of dexamethasone intravitreal implant for refractory macular edema in children

Can J Ophthalmol. 2015 Jun;50(3):236-41. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2015.01.007.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone (DEX) intravitreal implant (Ozurdex) in pediatric patients with cystoid macular edema (CME) refractory to conventional treatment.

Design: This study is a retrospective chart review.

Participants: Four pediatric patients (5 eyes) with CME caused by uveitis, type I idiopathic macular telangiectasia (IMT), or Coats disease treated with DEX intravitreal implant.

Methods: Medical records of the 4 pediatric patients (5 eyes) with CME included in this study were reviewed. Data collected included details of the underlying diseases, treatments, and pretreatment and post-treatment central retinal thickness (CRT) measured by time-domain optical coherence tomography, visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and lens status. The median follow-up time was 65 weeks (range, 59-93 weeks).

Results: Fifteen DEX intravitreal implants were injected into 5 eyes over the follow-up period. Reduction of CME was achieved in all eyes within 12 weeks after the initial injection. VA improved in 4 eyes and was unchanged in 1 eye at 12 weeks; VA improved in 2 eyes, decreased in 2 eyes, and was unchanged in 1 eye at 52 weeks. Three of 5 eyes experienced IOP elevation ≥ 10 mm Hg during the follow-up period. IOP was ultimately controlled medically in all eyes. Significant lens opacification was documented in 2 eyes.

Conclusions: DEX intravitreal implant can be considered as an effective adjunctive off-label treatment to pediatric macular edema caused by uveitis or IMT/Coats disease; the safety profile of repeated treatment is acceptable.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage*
  • Dexamethasone / adverse effects
  • Drug Implants
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage*
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure
  • Macular Edema / diagnosis
  • Macular Edema / drug therapy*
  • Macular Edema / etiology
  • Male
  • Off-Label Use
  • Recurrence
  • Retinal Telangiectasis / complications
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Uveitis / complications
  • Visual Acuity / physiology
  • Vitreous Body / drug effects*

Substances

  • Drug Implants
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Dexamethasone