Intravitreal dexamethasone for diabetic macular edema: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the response and safety profile of intravitreal dexamethasone in treating diabetic macular edema.


METHODS
In this prospective pilot study, 12 eyes of 12 patients with diabetic macular edema were randomized to receive a single injection of 0.4 mg (n = 6) or 0.8 mg (n = 6) of intravitreal dexamethasone. The outcome measures were changes in best-corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness on optical coherence tomography. Side effects were monitored.


RESULTS
The 3-month results were reported. In both dosage groups, there were transient improvements in best-corrected visual acuity and central foveal thickness, but the changes were not significant at any time point (best-corrected visual acuity: P > or = 0.14; central foveal thickness: P > or = .08). No significant side effects were observed, except one eye developed a peak intraocular pressure of greater than 21 mm Hg.


CONCLUSIONS
A single injection of intravitreal dexamethasone (0.4 or 0.8 mg) did not have significant beneficial effects on diabetic macular edema within 3 months from injection in this small pilot study.
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
Carmen K M
CK
Chan
Shaheeda
S
Mohamed
Vincent Y W
VY
Lee
Timothy Y Y
TY
Lai
Mahesh P
MP
Shanmugam
Dennis S C
DS
Lam
D000368:Aged; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone