The Effects of Epiretinal Membranes on the Treatment Outcomes of Dexamethasone Implants in Diabetic Macular Edema: A Real-Life Study

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a coexisting epiretinal membrane (ERM) on the treatment outcomes of a dexamethasone implant (DI) in diabetic macular edema (DME) patients. Methods: One hundred five eyes of 78 DME patients (44 F, 34 M; mean age: 65.7) treated with minimum 2 DIs were enrolled into this retrospective study. The study population was divided into the ERM (+) study group and the ERM (-) control group. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, and central macular thicknesses (CMTs) were evaluated at baseline and months 1, 2, and 3 after each DI treatment. Results: Both groups were comparable in baseline BCVA, CMT, HbA1c levels, and age. In the study group (n: 49), BCVA changed following the first DI from 0.83 to 0.76 and from 0.97 to 0.80 following the second DI. CMT decreased after the first DI from 465 to 377 μ (P < 0.001) and from 477 to 356 μ (P < 0.001) after the second DI. In the control group (n: 56), BCVA changed following the first DI from 0.81 to 0.77 and from 0.86 to 0.83 following the second DI. After the first DI, CMT decreased from 483 to 280 μ (P < 0.001) and from 468 to 301 μ (P < 0.001) after the second DI. The inter-group comparison revealed no significant difference in visual or anatomical gain (P = 0.46, P = 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: The presence of an epiretinal membrane did not change the treatment response to DI therapy.

Keywords: dexamethasone implant; diabetic macular edema; epiretinal membrane.