Intravitreal dexamethasone effectively reduces postoperative inflammation after vitreoretinal surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Corticosteroids remain the mainstay for control of ocular inflammation after vitreous surgery. A controlled, randomized, prospective study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of a single intravitreal injection of dexamethasone phosphate on postoperative inflammation after simple vitreous surgery in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and macular pucker.


METHODS
Aqueous cell flare intensity was measured preoperatively and on days 1, 10, and 90 in 56 consecutive patients who underwent vitreous surgery for proliferative diabetic retinopathy and macular pucker. Subjects were consecutively randomized to two groups: 400 microg of intravitreal dexamethasone (treatment group) or no dexamethasone (control group)


RESULTS
Before surgery, cell and flare intensity was similar in both groups. Flare intensity was significandy lower at 10, 30, and 90 days in the proliferative diabetic retinopathy treatment group (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal dexamethasone significantly alleviates postoperative inflammation after vitreous surgery and is a useful adjunct.
Chalam
Kakarla V
KV
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville 32209, USA.
Malkani
Sunil
S
Shah
Vinay A
VA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000166:cytology; D018916:Blood-Aqueous Barrier; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000601:surgery*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone