Intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) for macular edema secondary to retinitis pigmentosa.

Background: To evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes of intravitreal dexamethasone implant in patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
Methods: Three patients (four eyes), aged 24 to 46 years, presented with refractory ME secondary to RP. Intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) was administered to treat ME. The anatomical (central macular thickness [CMT]) and functional (best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA]) outcomes as well as adverse events were recorded.
Results: All patients completed 6 months follow-up. After intravitreal Ozurdex all patients showed regression of ME. At baseline, mean CMT was 443 ± 185 μm (range 213-619 μm); ME improved to 234 ± 68 μm (range 142-307 μm) at 1 month, to 332 ± 177 μm (range 139-513 μm) at 3 months, and to 305 ± 124 μm (range 144-447 μm) at 6 months. Recurrent ME was recorded in 2 patients (both patients at 3 months from intravitreal dexamethasone implant). Retreatment with intravitreal Ozurdex was performed in two patients. Mean BCVA improved form 20/160 (range 20/50-20/200) (baseline) to 20/100 (range 20/40-20/125) at 1 month, to ∼20/125 (range 20/100-20/200) at 3 months, and to ∼ 20/125 (range 20/100-20/160) at 6 months. No serious ocular and systemic adverse events were observed during the study period.
Conclusions: Intravitreal dexamethasone implant provides anatomic and functional improvements and may represent a valuable treatment option for patients with ME secondary to RP.