DEXAMETHASONE INTRAVITREAL IMPLANT FOR CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION DURING PREGNANCY

Retin Cases Brief Rep. 2019 Fall;13(4):300-307. doi: 10.1097/ICB.0000000000000592.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the management of active choroidal neovascularization (CNV) during pregnancy with the use of a dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DXI) (Ozurdex).

Methods: Case series of active CNV treated with DXI with at least 12-month follow-up retrospectively analyzed at 2 high-volume referral centers in France. Medical records and multimodal macular imaging were evaluated.

Results: Three eyes of 3 patients (age 30.0 ± 3.6 years) were included. One case of idiopathic CNV and two cases of CNV secondary to multifocal choroiditis were analyzed. Mean follow-up was 20.6 ± 4.0 months (range, 16-23 months). The DXI was given at second trimester of established pregnancy in all cases. Mean central retinal thickness decreased from 359 ± 53 μm to 301 ± 17 μm 1 month after DXI and remained stable up to 12 months of follow-up. Visual improvement in all cases was observed (mean 10 letters; range, 5-30 letters) 1 month after DXI and remained stable/increased up to 12-month follow-up (mean 22 letters; range, 10-30 letters). All patients had an uneventful prenatal course and delivered a healthy full-term infant.

Conclusion: In the authors' experience, a single DXI revealed safe and effective in CNV treatment during pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / diagnosis
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / drug therapy*
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Implants
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Retina / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Visual Acuity*

Substances

  • Drug Implants
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Dexamethasone