Clinical applications of the sustained-release dexamethasone implant for treatment of macular edema

Rocío Herrero-Vanrell¹, Jose Augusto Cardillo², Baruch D Kuppermann^3
1Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain; ²Hospital de Olhos de Araraquara, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil; ³Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA

Abstract: Macular edema is one of the leading causes of vision loss among patients with retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy, and posterior chamber inflammatory disease. However, the treatment of macular edema is considerably limited by the difficulty in delivering effective doses of therapeutic agents into the vitreous cavity. In recent years, the development of a sustained-release dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex^®) has enabled more controlled drug release at a stable rate over a long period of time, with a potentially lower rate of adverse events. Clinical studies indicate that this dexamethasone implant is a promising new treatment option for patients with persistent macular edema resulting from retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy, and uveitis or Irvine-Gass syndrome.

Keywords: diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, Ozurdex^®, posterior-segment inflammatory disease, retinal vein occlusion, sustained-release dexamethasone implant