Dextenza shows sustained effect in allergic conjunctivitis
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WASHINGTON — Patients who underwent Dextenza implantation had improvements in itching due to allergic conjunctivitis through 30 days, according to a study.
At the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting, Steven Silverstein, MD, said current treatments are adequate most of the time but do not have lasting effects and do not work as well for moderate to severe symptoms.
“[Dextenza] is an intracanalicular steroid insert that releases dexamethasone to the ocular surface in a sustained and tapered fashion for 30 days,” he said. “It’s an excellent alternative to steroid eye drops.”
The study included pooled data from three phase 3 trials that explored Dextenza (dexamethasone ophthalmic insert, Ocular Therapeutix) for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. The primary efficacy outcomes were ocular itching scores at 3, 5 and 7 minutes after a modified conjunctival allergen challenge compared with placebo. Two hundred fifty-five patients underwent four challenges over 3 days.
Patients treated with Dextenza reported lower mean ocular itching scores across all time periods throughout all study visits (all P < .05). The treatment differences for ocular itching favored Dextenza at all 96 timepoints across the three studies, Silverstein said.
No severe adverse events or serious ocular adverse events occurred in any of the three studies.
“Dextenza had a durable and sustained effect for 30 days as demonstrated by a statistically significant ocular itch reduction over vehicle,” Silverstein said.
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Silverstein S. Sustained 30 day effect of an intracanalicular dexamethasone insert for treating ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Presented at: American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting; April 22-26, 2022; Washington.
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