title: Intravitreal dexamethasone implant in radiation-induced macular oedema.
abstract: To evaluate the efficacy and duration of activity of a single intravitreal dexamethasone implant in patients affected by radiation maculopathy.
  
  
  
  Thirteen consecutive eyes of 13 patients affected by radiation maculopathy secondary to eye irradiation for a primary uveal melanoma (Iodine-125 brachytherapy) and treated with a single intravitreal 0.7 mg dexamethasone implant were retrospectively evaluated. Each patient underwent full ophthalmological examination, including fluorescein angiography and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), even in en-face modality. Follow-up was performed monthly over a 6-month period.
  
  
  
  At preinjection visit, the median central subfield thickness (CST) by SD-OCT was 407 µm (IQR, 357-524 µm) and the median best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 61 ETDRS score (IQR, 54-67). The median gain of ETDRS letter at 1 month was 6.5 (IQR, 4-15) (p<0.01). The median CST showed a reduction of 120 µm (IQR, 62-134) (p<0.01). Further CST reduction was reported at 2 months' follow-up, with CST stabilisation at 3 months and maintenance of BCVA. At 4, 5 and 6 months' follow-up, all patients presented progressive retinal thickening (p<0.01) and BCVA reduction (p<0.01). No side effects were documented.
  
  
  
  Intravitreal dexamethasone implant reduces macular oedema secondary to radiation maculopathy and also improved visual acuity in a consistent proportion of patients. Signs of macular oedema recurrence may be detected at a median of 4 months after injection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frizziero
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parrozzani
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trainiti
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pilotto
authors.affiliation: G.B. Bietti Foundation, IRCCS, Ocular Oncology and Toxicology Research Unit, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miglionico
authors.affiliation: G.B. Bietti Foundation, IRCCS, Ocular Oncology and Toxicology Research Unit, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pulze
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.|G.B. Bietti Foundation, IRCCS, Ocular Oncology and Toxicology Research Unit, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Midena
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D014792:Visual Acuity; D000098943:Uveal Melanoma
chemical_list: D004343:Drug Implants; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone
keywords: Inflammation; Macula; Pathology; Retina; Treatment Medical