title: DEXAMETHASONE INTRAVITREAL IMPLANT VS RANIBIZUMAB IN THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR EDEMA SECONDARY TO BRACHYTHERAPY FOR CHOROIDAL MELANOMA.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of an intravitreal dexamethasone (Dex) implant 0.7 mg compared with intravitreal ranibizumab (Ra) for the treatment of radiation maculopathy with macular edema secondary to plaque brachytherapy in choroidal melanoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight patients were treated with intravitreal Ra, and eight patients received the Dex intravitreal implant. Visual acuity and foveal thickness were evaluated using spectral domain optical coherence tomography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean calculated irradiation to the fovea and mean times from brachytherapy to maculopathy development did not differ significantly between groups. In the Ra group, a mean 7.8 ± 3.9 injections were given and the mean follow-up was 33 ± 15 months (range, 7-52 months). In the Dex group, a mean 2.1 ± 0.8 injections were given and the mean follow-up was 22 ± 7 months (range, 11-31 months). The mean visual acuity improved significantly from the baseline to the last follow-up visit in both groups. Foveal thickness decreased significantly in both groups from 459 ± 81 μm to 243 ± 58 μm and from 437 ± 71 μm to 254 ± 44 μm from the baseline to the last follow-up visit in the Ra and Dex groups, respectively. No patients developed significant cataract or ocular hypertension in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both Ra and Dex are effective treatments for macular edema secondary to plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanoma. Dex-treated patients required fewer injections to achieve anatomical and functional improvement.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Ophthalmology, and.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.affiliation: Departments of Ophthalmology, and.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reibaldi
authors.affiliation: Departments of Ophthalmology, and.
authors.forename: Teresio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Avitabile
authors.affiliation: Departments of Ophthalmology, and.
authors.forename: Maurizio G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Uva
authors.affiliation: Departments of Ophthalmology, and.
authors.forename: Livio Marco
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.affiliation: Departments of Ophthalmology, and.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gagliano
authors.affiliation: Departments of Ophthalmology, and.
authors.forename: Vincenza
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bonfiglio
authors.affiliation: Radiotherapy, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Corrado
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spatola
authors.affiliation: Radiotherapy, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Privitera
authors.affiliation: Departments of Ophthalmology, and.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Longo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004343:Drug Implants; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069579:Ranibizumab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D004343:Drug Implants; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000069579:Ranibizumab