Quantitative Assessment of Optic Nerve Changes in Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema Treated With Fluocinolone Acetonide Vitreous Implants.

PubMed ID: 27183545

Author(s): Parrish RK 2nd, Traverso CE, Green K, Danis RP; FAME Study Group. Quantitative assessment of optic nerve changes in patients with diabetic macular edema treated with fluocinolone acetonide vitreous implants. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2016 May 1;47(5):418-25. doi: 10.3928/23258160-20160419-04. PMID 27183545

Journal: Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers & Imaging Retina, Volume 47, Issue 5, May 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To evaluate glaucomatous changes in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) treated with intravitreal implants releasing 0.2 µg/day or 0.5 µg/day fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) (Iluvien 0.2 µg/day; Alimera Sciences, Alpharetta, GA) or sham control.

PATIENTS AND METHODS Fundus photographs were assessed to determine clinically significant changes in glaucomatous indicators.

RESULTS The mean cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) change was similar with all three treatments. Compared with sham control, a significantly greater proportion of patients treated with 0.5 µg/day but not 0.2 µg/day FAc experienced a CDR increase of greater than 0.1. There was no significant increase in the proportion of patients experiencing a CDR increase of greater than 0.2 with either dose of implant versus sham control. Other indicators of glaucomatous change did not differ significantly with treatment. Subgroup analyses showed no differences in cupping based on ocular or baseline characteristics.

CONCLUSION Treatment with FAc for 36 months was not associated with significant glaucomatous optic nerve head changes in patients with DME with or without increased intraocular pressure. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2016;47:418-425.].