EFFICACY OF COMBINED DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT AND NAVIGATED SUBTHRESHOLD MICROPULSE YELLOW LASER IN DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA.
Giovanni William Oliverio, Alessandro Meduri, Irene Ingrande et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of combining intravitreal dexamethasone implant with navigated subthreshold micropulse laser versus dexamethasone monotherapy in 80 eyes with diabetic macular edema. The combination treatment resulted in a greater improvement in best-corrected visual acuity at 6 months (6.2 ± 5.1 vs. 4.1 ± 6.4 letters; P = 0.03) and lower central subfield thickness at both 6 and 12 months.
Key findings
- At 6 months, best-corrected visual acuity improved by 6.2 ± 5.1 letters in the combination group versus 4.1 ± 6.4 letters in the monotherapy group (P = 0.03).
- Mean central subfield thickness was lower in the combination group at 6 months (295 ± 46 μm vs. 321 ± 58 μm; P = 0.02).
- Median retreatment-free survival was longer in the combination group (11.2 months vs. 8.3 months).
Why it matters
The findings suggest that combining dexamethasone implant with navigated subthreshold micropulse laser may enhance visual and anatomical outcomes in patients with diabetic macular edema, potentially reducing the need for retreatment.