RESUMO
PURPOSE: To evaluate the real-life efficacy and safety of the intravitreal dexamethasone implant in uveitis. METHODS: This retrospective observational multicentric study included 152 eyes treated exclusively by 358 dexamethasone implant injections. The main outcome measures included change in the best-corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness, and vitreous haze score. RESULTS: Patients were treated with dexamethasone implant for macular edema (51.3%), vitritis with macular edema (40.1%), vitritis (5.3%), and other causes (3.3%). The mean duration of follow-up was 19.0 months. The mean gain in best-corrected visual acuity during follow-up was +12.1 letters. An improvement in best-corrected visual acuity ≥5, 10, and 15 letters was found in 64.5, 50.7, and 35.5% of cases, respectively. 59.7% of eyes with macular edema at baseline were found to be anatomical responders. Vitritis resolution (vitreous haze = 0+) was obtained in 81.4% of cases. Ocular hypertension (intraocular pressure ≥25 mmHg and/or gain ≥10 mmHg from baseline) occurred in 28.3% of patients. No filtering surgery/laser therapy was required. A total of 40.2% of phakic subjects underwent cataract surgery on average 11.2 months after the first injection. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the efficacy and safety of the dexamethasone implant in noninfectious uveitis. Cataract and ocular hypertension were not uncommon but easily manageable.