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Complications of corticosteroid implant minimal compared with advantages
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PARIS — The positive effects and the potential side effects of corticosteroid treatment with a dexamethasone implant in macular edema are better known today and have led to encouraging findings, according to a physician here.
“Macular edema is frequently associated with different categories of disease. Ozurdex is an effective strategy and very compatible with patients’ life since it is administered twice, or three times at the most, in 1 year,” Gabriel Coscas, MD, said at the meeting of the French Society of Ophthalmology.
Ozurdex (Allergan) is five times more effective than triamcinolone but does not have its side effects, he said.
“IOP elevation is transient and easily controlled with just one drop of hypotensive drug for 1 to 2 months. Whether glaucoma could be excluded as a complication is still a matter of debate. It is likely that it may occur as a consequence of pre-existing subclinical glaucoma conditions, which must be carefully considered when selecting patients for this treatment,” Dr. Coscas said.
Cataract occurs in some cases, mostly after the third injection. Close monitoring is required with long-term treatment, particularly when patients are young. Macular edema, however, tends to fade away after 2 years of treatment, which may require no more than four or five doses.
“In our series of 32 patients with a follow-up of 18 months, we have administered three injections in most cases, and no cataract has occurred so far,” Dr. Coscas said.
- Disclosure: Dr. Coscas is a consultant for Allergan.