Intravitreal ranibizumab and dexamethasone implant injections as primary treatment of diabetic macular edema: simultaneously double protocol.

PURPOSE: To assess the 12-month efficacy and safety of simultaneously administered intravitreal dexamethasone implant (DEX implant) and ranibizumab (simultaneous double protocol) injections in comparison with ranibizumab monotherapy as the first-line treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DMO). METHODS: Prospective, consecutive, clinical interventional study. Patients were randomized into two groups: 24 naive DMO patients (34 eyes) who received simultaneous double-protocol therapy and 22 DMO patients (34 eyes) who received ranibizumab monotherapy were included. Monthly ranibizumab (0.5 mg) was administered for the first 6 months and later on, an as-needed treatment basis. DEX implant injection was performed at any time during the loading dose of the three consecutive monthly injections of ranibizumab, and with as-needed reinjections of ranibizumab from 6th month onwards. Change in visual acuity was the primary efficacy endpoint. Secondary efficacy endpoints were a gain of ≥15 letters and a change in the central foveal thickness. RESULTS: Mean BCVA increased from baseline to month 12 in the simultaneously double-protocol therapy group compared with the ranibizumab monotherapy group (21.6 versus 9.6 letters [P < 0.001]). The corresponding proportions of eyes gaining ≥15 letters were 60% versus 29.4% (P < 0.0001). Moreover, the mean reductions in the central foveal thickness were 413 versus 282 µm (P = 0.001). At 12 month, the simultaneous double-protocol therapy decreased a significant number of foveal cysts and subfoveal neuroretinal detachment compared with those by ranibizumab monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The simultaneous addition of DEX implant at any time during the three monthly loading doses of ranibizumab in patients with DMO significantly improved the visual outcomes and revealed superior anatomic outcomes than those with the ranibizumab monotherapy.

Demarcation Laser Photocoagulation for Subclinical Retinal Detachment: Can Progression to Retinal Detachment Be Prevented?

Objectives: To describe results of demarcation laser photocoagulation in preventing progression of subclinical retinal detachment (SCRD). Materials and Methods: Twenty-one eyes of 20 patients with SCRD were included. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and color fundus photography. Ages at initial diagnosis ranged between 18 and 75 years (mean: 57.3±16.2 years). Patients followed for at least 6 months were included in the study. Periodic retinal examinations were performed over follow-up periods of 6-55 months using Goldmann three-mirror contact lens and sometimes semilunar mirror lens with scleral indentation. Results: Twelve patients (60%) were female, eight (40%) were male. The mean follow-up period was 24.3±15.2 months (6-55 months). Three (14.3%) eyes were pseudophakic. One patient was affected bilaterally, with both eyes each containing two separate areas of involvement. The SCRD was in the upper quadrant of 18 eyes (85.7%) and the lower quadrant in 3 eyes (14.3%), and was located in the temporal region 10 eyes (47.6%), the nasal quadrant in 4 eyes (19.1%), and in the upper quadrant (temporal-nasal) in 7 eyes (33.3%). Six eyes (28.6%) were found to have myopia greater than -3.0 diopters. Progression to clinical retinal detachment was observed in 4/21 SCRD eyes (19%). All eyes showing progression to clinical retinal detachment had >-3.0 diopter myopia and multiple retinal tears located in the upper quadrant. Conclusion: Demarcation laser photocoagulation should be kept in mind as a first-line treatment for eyes with SCRD. Laser photocoagulation is vital in preventing progression to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in most patients. After this treatment, these patients should be followed closely.