Using intracanalicular dexamethasone insert after cataract surgery saves office time
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NEW ORLEANS — Using Dextenza as a postoperative steroid treatment after cataract surgery saved practices about 40 staff hours per week on patient education and callbacks, according to a survey.
“Real-world practice evidence demonstrated the time surgical staff spent on patient education and pharmacy calls was almost halved with the use of the intracanalicular dexamethasone 0.4 mg insert compared to standard of care,” Lisa M. Nijm, MD, JD, and colleagues said in a poster presentation at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.
Staff at 19 ophthalmology practices included in the phase 4 experiential cross-sectional survey reported a 45% decrease in time spent on patient education, from 24.5 minutes to 13.4 minutes, when using Dextenza (Ocular Therapeutix) administered at the time of surgery instead of topical steroid eye drops typically used as part of a three-drop postoperative regimen. The most common postoperative regimen reported by the survey participants was 4 weeks of steroids, 4 weeks of NSAIDs and 1 week of antibiotic eye drops. When the dexamethasone insert was used, the postoperative regimen was reduced to two eye drops.
Staff further reported a 46% decrease in time spent on pharmacy calls, from 9.5 minutes to 5.1 minutes.
“A majority of staff reported high satisfaction with the use of the intracanalicular dexamethasone 0.4 mg insert as a postoperative steroid treatment following cataract surgery,” Nijm and colleagues said.
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Nijm L, et al. Real-world evidence of an intracanalicular dexamethasone insert saving time on patient education and calls for post-cataract surgery care. Presented at: American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting; Nov. 12-15, 2021; New Orleans.
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