Why carry out this study?

Switching to a sustained released dexamethasone intravitreal (DEX) implant has seemed to be a feasible option in patients with diabetic macular edema who do not adequately respond to intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor (anti-VEGF) injections.

Measures adopted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have dramatically disrupted the provision of health care, resulting in deferral of routine ophthalmic procedures.

This study aimed to compare functional and anatomic outcomes in patients with diabetic macular edema who underwent a full anti-VEGF regimen (monthly injection during 5 months) versus those who underwent dexamethasone intravitreal implant after an incomplete anti-VEGF treatment regimen.

What was learned from the study?

DEX implant significantly improved both functional and anatomic outcomes in patients who were unable to complete anti-VEGF loading dose.

DEX implant may be a valuable option for treating patients with DME who have not completed the standard anti-VEGF loading dose regimen.