Phacoemulsification and dexamethasone intravitreal implant in diabetic patients: A combined approach

Purpose: To analyse the morpho-functional outcomes of dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex) injected after lens surgery in diabetic patients with coexisting cataract and macular oedema. Methods: This is a non-randomized, perspective, single-group study on 17 eyes with a diagnosis of cataract and early and advanced diabetic macular oedema. All eyes underwent combined phacoemulsification and Ozurdex injection at the end of surgery and morpho-functional outcomes were analysed in 3 months follow-up. Results: Foveal thickness decreased significantly from 349.6 ± 19.8 (95% CI) at baseline to 310.7 ± 17.5 (95% CI) 90 days after surgery ( p < 0.01). Mean BCVA (LogMAR) improved significantly from 0.38 ± 0.08 (95% CI) at baseline to 0.15 ± 0.06 (95% CI) after 90 days ( p < 0.01). Any ocular or systemic complications were observed during follow-up. Conclusions: Dexamethasone intravitreal implant combined with phacoemulsification may be safe and effective to improve morpho-functional outcomes in diabetic patients with coexisting cataract and macular oedema.