ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ozurdex intravitreal injection is performed via a patented injection device. However, there is a common misconception among ophthalmologists regarding the relation between the speed of applicator button depression and the speed of pellet injection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six dexamethasone intravitreal implants were injected into a calibrated ex vivo water bath. Three of the pellets were injected via rapid compression, whereas the other three implants were injected using a 3-second compression technique. The procedures were recorded using high-speed photography followed by calculation of pellet velocity and impact force. RESULTS: The mean impact velocity and force of the pellet insertion is significantly higher in the fast injection group compared to the slow injection group. CONCLUSIONS: By depressing the Ozurdex implant injector during a 3-second time interval, the impact force of the implant pellet is reduced by about 95%. This new technique will theoretically reduce the risk of retinal injury and vitreous hemorrhage from Ozurdex injections. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019;50:e23-e25.].
Subject(s)
Dexamethasone/administration & dosage , Drug Implants , Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage , Intravitreal Injections/methods , Humans , Intravitreal Injections/instrumentation , Macular Edema/drug therapyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to correlate the degree of ocular hypertension with the number of Ozurdex injections. METHODS: Intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations for a total of 183 injections were studied over a period of at least 12 months. The main indications for treatment were uveitis, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion. RESULTS: Results of the study demonstrate that repeated Ozurdex injections do not increase the frequency of IOP spikes beyond 30 mmHg. For lower IOPs, however, a positive correlation exists. Furthermore, patients with primary open angle glaucoma and uveitis had the highest IOP response to repeated injections. On average, patients with an IOP of ≥28.6 mmHg received pressure lowering medications, after which their IOP reached a stable level (16.7 mmHg) without the need for additional interventions. CONCLUSION: The data support the conclusion that multiple Ozurdex injections does not increase the frequency of IOP spikes beyond 30 mmHg, but patients still must be closely monitored if they have a history of primary open angle glaucoma.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to compare cancellation and no-show rates in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and exudative macular degeneration (wet AMD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: An anonymous survey was sent to 1,726 retina specialists inquiring as to the number of appointments their patients with DME and wet AMD attended, cancelled, or did not show up for in 2014 and 2015. RESULTS: Data were obtained on 109,599 appointments. Patients with DME in the U.S. had a 1.591-times increased odds of cancelling or no-showing to their appointments than patients with wet AMD (P < .0001). Patients with DME in Europe had a 1.918-times increased odds of cancelling or no showing to their appointments than patients with wet AMD (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Patients with DME in the U.S. and Europe cancelled and no-showed to their appointments significantly more often than patients with wet AMD. These findings can be taken into consideration when establishing treatment plans for patients with DME. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:186-190.].
