Effects of Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant on Multifocal Electroretinography in Diabetic Macular Oedema.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of the dexamethasone implant on the electrophysiological profile of Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO) patients over six months.

METHODS

In this prospective, single-center study 30 eyes of 22 patients were examined using comprehensive baseline assessments including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), contrast sensitivity (CS) and multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG), before and after 0.7mg dexamethasone implant injection, with follow-ups at months 1, 2, 4, and 6. The study employed mixed models to analyse within-subject and between-subject correlations, considering the complexities of multiple measurements per subject.

RESULTS

At baseline, BCVA was 0.66 ± 0.104 logMAR, improving to 0.568 ± 0.104 logMAR by month 6 (P > 0.05). CRT significantly reduced from 521 ± 28.7 μm to 336 ± 28.7 μm (P < 0.05). CS slightly increased from 26.8 ± 1.23 letters to 28.5 ± 1.05 letters (P > 0.05). P wave amplitude saw a notable rise from 33.4 ± 5.66 μV to 47.9 ± 5.43 μV (P < 0.05). P wave implicit time changed minimally from 47.4 ± 0.503 seconds to 48.0 ± 0.503 seconds (P > 0.05). No severe adverse events were recorded.

CONCLUSION

These results underscore the 0.7mg dexamethasone implant's potential in improving certain electrophysiological markers in DMO, while also highlighting the need for further investigation into its comprehensive impact on retinal function.