Journal of Ophthalmology Research & Therapeutics

Abstract

Introduction: Few studies have shown how a dexamethasone implant can be successful in treating macular holes that persisted following non-invasive topical eye drops and traditional attempted surgical repair with vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, and intravitreal gas injection[1.5]. This case series investigates the effectiveness of dexamethasone implants as an initial, nonsurgical treatment alternative for the repair of full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs)

Methods: Nine patients presenting with full-thickness macular holes were treated with Ozurdex (dexametha sone implant). These patients were treatment naive and were not previously vitrectomized. Upon receiving the implant, the patients were evaluated monthly with dilated fundus examination and optical coherence tomog raphy (OCT) to determine macular hole closure.

Results: The Ozurdex implant was successful in closing the macular hole in three cases out of the nine cases (33% success rate) without the need for surgical or secondary intervention. On average, the macular hole closed within 3 months after the corticosteroid implantation.

Conclusion: Though the overall success rate of FTMH closure with Ozurdex is low, further investigation into the ability of Ozurdex to treat small macular holes with cystoid macular edema (CME) is warranted.