A Comparison of Intraoperative Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant and Triamcinolone Acetonide Used During Vitrectomy and Epiretinal Membrane Peeling: A Case Control Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Intravitreal corticosteroids may accelerate the normalization of macular morphology after vitrectomy and epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling. The authors compared the visual and anatomic outcomes of eyes undergoing this procedure with the intraoperative use of the dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX) (Ozurdex; Allergan, Irvine, CA) versus triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) (Triesence; Alcon, Fort Worth, TX).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Interventional, retrospective, consecutive, case-control study.

RESULTS: Fifty-five participants were included (DEX = 19; IVTA = 36). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months in both the DEX (P = .40, .45, .02, .08, respectively) and IVTA (P < .01, = .10, < .01, < .01) arms. Similarly, central macular thickness (CMT) improved at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months in both the DEX (P < .01, = .03, < .01, < .01) and IVTA (P < .01, < .01, < .01, < .01) arms. There were no statistical differences between DEX and IVTA regarding BCVA and CMT.

CONCLUSION: Both intraoperative DEX and IVTA, used at the completion of vitrectomy and at membrane peeling for epiretinal membrane, were effective in improving visual and anatomic outcomes, though there was a trend toward greater significance with IVTA.