title: INTRAVITREAL DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT FOR RADIATION MACULOPATHY SECONDARY TO PLAQUE BRACHYTHERAPY IN CHOROIDAL MELANOMA.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone implant 0.7 mg (Ozurdex) in radiation maculopathy secondary to plaque brachytherapy in choroidal melanoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve eyes diagnosed of radiation maculopathy secondary to plaque brachytherapy and treated with intravitreal dexamethasone implant were included. Visual acuity, foveal thickness using spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and grade of macular edema, using Horgan classification, were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age was 65.5 ± 28 years (range, 40-82 years). Mean follow-up was 8.2 ± 7.8 months (range, 2-28 months). Mean visual acuity before treatment was, in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution scale, 1 ± 0.58 (range, 0.4-2) and mean final visual acuity 0.8 ± 0.58 (range, 0.2-2), showing a nonsignificant trend to improvement (P = 0.091; Wilcoxon's test). Foveal thickness before treatment was 416 ± 263 μm (range, 222-725 μm) and final foveal thickness 254 ± 170 μm (range, 145-750), showing a significant decrease (P = 0.016; Wilcoxon's test). Referring to Horgan classification, a significant reduction in grades before and after treatment was demonstrated (P = 0.007; Wilcoxon's test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ozurdex is a useful treatment for radiation maculopathy associated to plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanoma, with a significant decrease in foveal thickness and a significant improvement in Horgan classification. This anatomical improvement was correlated with a moderate improvement in visual acuity.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Ophthalmology, Ocular Oncology and Vitreoretinal Service, University Hospital of Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain; Departments of †Brachytherapy, and ‡Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain; and §Department of Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Service, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Caminal
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Flores-Moreno
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.forename: Josep M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Piulats
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Català
authors.forename: Marcos J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rubio
authors.forename: Estefanía
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cobos
authors.forename: Pere
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pera
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Giralt
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arruga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012160:Retina / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D004343:Drug Implants; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes; D003907:Dexamethasone