Study Shows Effectiveness of DEX Implant as Monotherapy for Macular Edema in Uveitis

The Problem of Macular Edema in Uveitis

• Macular edema is a leading cause of blindness in non-infectious uveitis
• Accounts for up to one-third of blindness and visual impairment in chronic non-infectious uveitis

Previous Studies on DEX Implant

• DEX implant approved for treatment of posterior non-infectious uveitis in 2011
• Two studies conducted on use of multiple DEX implants in macular edema caused by non-infectious uveitis
• Both studies showed statistically significant decrease in CRT on OCT at 1 month and up to 6 months from first injection
• No significant difference in effect observed between multiple implants and first implant

Study Results

In a 2017 publication, researchers demonstrated that the DEX implant, when used in conjunction with systemic corticosteroids, improved BCVA and reduced CRT in patients with macular edema secondary to non-infectious uveitis.

Monotherapy with the DEX implant was found to be effective in treating macular edema, avoiding the need for concomitant systemic immune suppression and reducing side-effects from systemic corticosteroid treatment.

Key Findings

• BCVA improved from 0.285 logMAR units to 0.175 logMAR units
• CRT decreased from 392 μm to 318 μm
• Initial rise in CRT observed at 4 months, indicating need for second implant in some cases
• 77% success rate between 4 to 7 months and 46% success rate beyond 10 months
• Only one eye developed a cataract and no patients required systemic corticosteroid treatment
• IOP increased initially but dropped significantly after 4 months
• Nine out of 39 eyes required a second implant over 12 months

Implications and Future Research

• DEX implant can be used as monotherapy for macular edema in uveitis
• Etiology of uveitis may impact treatment response and should be considered
• Long-term studies needed to compare single versus multiple implants and to compare with systemic corticosteroids
• Study limitations include small cohort size and lack of standardization of prior topical corticosteroid use
• Promising results for improving both anatomical and visual outcomes in uveitic macular edema

This study has provided initial evidence with statistical significance that the DEX implant can successfully be used as monotherapy to treat uveitic macular edema.