The Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant for Noninfectious Uveitis: Practice Patterns Among Uveitis Specialists

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2015;23(6):444-53. doi: 10.3109/09273948.2015.1070180. Epub 2015 Oct 30.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the practice patterns and perceptions of uveitis specialists regarding the use of the intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implant for the treatment of noninfectious uveitis.

Methods: We invited uveitis specialists to participate in an anonymous online survey.

Results: Among the 45 respondents, 76.5% identified uveitic macular edema as the most common clinical finding for which they use the DEX implant. The most common contraindications to DEX implantation were aphakia and glaucoma requiring >2 medications. Nearly two-thirds (64.3%) felt that the advent of the DEX implant did not change the frequency with which they used the fluocinolone acetonide (FA) implant, and about one-third (32.3%) preferred to use at least one DEX implant, before committing a patient to an FA implant.

Conclusions: Uveitis physicians use the DEX implant for a wide range of clinical findings and uveitic diagnoses. There was no clear consensus on preferences regarding the use of DEX versus FA implants.

Keywords: Dexamethasone; fluocinolone; intravitreal implant; uveitis.

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Competence*
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Implants
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Ophthalmology*
  • Physicians / standards*
  • Specialization*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Uveitis / drug therapy*
  • Workforce

Substances

  • Drug Implants
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Dexamethasone