Treatment of Non-Infectious Posterior Uveitis with Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implants in a Real-World Setting

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety associated to the treatment of patients with non-infectious posterior uveitis with intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implants in a real-world clinical setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, single center analysis of the data from 29 patients with non-infectious posterior uveitis in whom 38 eyes were treated with dexamethasone intravitreal implants in routine clinical practice between January 2012 and October 2017. The parameters of visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were recorded 6 weeks after the first implant was administered, in accordance with the clinical guidelines for the use of these implants, and after a 6-month follow-up period. In addition, the formation of cataracts was evaluated at 12 months. RESULTS: Treatment with the DEX implant caused a significant improvement in the VA from baseline at 6 weeks in eyes treated with 2–6 implants and for eyes without cataracts. A significant decrease in CRT was observed relative to the baseline at 6 weeks for eyes treated with 1 and 2–6 implants, which was maintained at 6 months for those eyes treated with 2–6 implants. This significant improvement in CRT at 6 weeks and 6 months was evident in eyes with and without cataracts. During the study period, the IOP was found to increase significantly from baseline at 6 weeks in some eyes but this was managed topically, and no surgical intervention was necessary. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal DEX implants represent an effective and safe therapy for the treatment of non-infectious uveitis in routine clinical practice, producing favorable visual and anatomical outcomes after the administration of just 2–6 DEX implants.