Evaluation of a single intravitreal injection of dexamethasone phosphate in vitrectomy surgery for diabetic retinopathy complications.

For evaluation of the efficacy and toxicity of dexamethasone phosphate after pars plana vitrectomy, 27 randomly selected eyes received 0.8 mg intravitreal dexamethasone phosphate and 30 control eyes did not receive this injection. No signs of dexamethasone phosphate toxicity were observed during 6 months of follow-up evaluations. Visual acuities of 20/40 or better were obtained in 26% of the dexamethasone-treated group and 33% of the control group, and those of 20/200 or better were obtained in 74% of the dexamethasone-treated eyes and 73% of the control eyes. Moderate anterior chamber flare or fibrin formation occurred in only 15% of the dexamethasone-treated eyes but in 27% of the control eyes one day after surgery. Lens changes occurred equally in both groups. None of the eyes in either group developed substantial intraocular proliferation or membranes following surgery.