Inadvertent Intralenticular Dexamethasone Implant for Diabetic Macular Edema Unresponsive to Bevacizumab

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report a case of inadvertent intralenticular slow-release dexamthasone implant (Ozurdex(R), Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) for diabetic macular edema unresponsive to bevacizumab. CASE SUMMARY: A 71-year-old woman presented with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. During follow-up, diabetic macular edema developed in both eyes and did not improve with intravitreal bevacizumab injections. For refractory diabetic macular edema, slow-release dexamthasone implant (Ozurdex(R)) was to be injected at the vitreous cavity of her left eye, but it was inadvertently injected into the crystalline lens. The patient was followed closely for 10 months. Diabetic macular edema completely resolved 1 month after the injection and did not recur during follow-up. There were no severe complications except mild cataract formation. Best-corrected visual acuity for the left eye improved from 0.1 to 0.2. The Ozurdex(R) implant slightly decreased after 10 months, but was still observed in the crystalline lens. CONCLUSIONS: The inadvertent intralenticular dexamthasone implant was a rare complication but effective for diabetic macular edema.