Changes in Macular Perfusion After ILUVIEN® Intravitreal Implant for Diabetic Macular Edema: An OCTA Study.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in macular perfusion in patients affected by diabetic macular edema (DME) and treated with ILUVIEN® (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) 0.19 mg using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

METHODS:

This was a retrospective cohort study that included patients aged > 18 years with type 2 non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) and DME at baseline. All patients were treated with the ILUVIEN® implant. A minimum of two 6 × 6-mm OCTA scans were required to ensure that all cases had a baseline OCTA and an OCTA performed at 4 months of follow-up. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons were performed.

RESULTS:

Ten eyes from ten subjects were included in the analysis. Mean (± standard deviation) age of the study cohort was 57.1 ± 8.3 years. Mean parafoveal perfusion density (PD) at baseline was 64.1 ± 1.8% at baseline, increasing to 66.1 ± 2.9% (p = 0.013) at the 4-month follow-up visit. Mean parafoveal PD at baseline was 64.4 ± 2.1%, increasing to 65.2 ± 2.6% (p = 0.024) after 4 months. In the qualitative assessment, 60 regions (10 areas for each subject) were graded to assess changes in retinal perfusion between the baseline and follow-up visits. This assessment revealed that 24 regions (40.0%) were characterized by a qualitative increase in perfusion after treatment, while 22 (36.7%) and 14 (23.3%) regions were featured by a stability and reduction in retinal perfusion, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

OCTA analysis detects improvements in macular perfusion after treatment with ILUVIEN®. This improvement in macular perfusion may be associated with corticosteroid-related beneficial effects on leukostasis.

• Authors: Maria Brambati, Enrico Borrelli, Luigi Capone, Lea Querques, Riccardo Sacconi, Marco Battista, Francesco Bandello, Giuseppe Querques
• Journal: Ophthalmology and therapy (Ophthalmol Ther) Vol. 11 Issue 2 Pg. 653-660 (Apr 2022) ISSN: 2193-8245 [Print] England
• PMID: 35088300 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).