DEXAMETHASONE INTRAVITREAL IMPLANT VS RANIBIZUMAB IN THE TREATMENT OF MACULAR EDEMA SECONDARY TO BRACHYTHERAPY FOR CHOROIDAL MELANOMA

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of an intravitreal dexamethasone (Dex) implant 0.7 mg compared with intravitreal ranibizumab (Ra) for the treatment of radiation maculopathy with macular edema secondary to plaque brachytherapy in choroidal melanoma. Methods: Eight patients were treated with intravitreal Ra, and eight patients received the Dex intravitreal implant. Visual acuity and foveal thickness were evaluated using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Results: The mean calculated irradiation to the fovea and mean times from brachytherapy to maculopathy development did not differ significantly between groups. In the Ra group, a mean 7.8 +/- 3.9 injections were given and the mean follow-up was 33 +/- 15 months (range, 752 months). In the Dex group, a mean 2.1 +/- 0.8 injections were given and the mean follow-up was 22 +/- 7 months (range, 11-31 months). The mean visual acuity improved significantly from the baseline to the last follow-up visit in both groups. Foveal thickness decreased significantly in both groups from 459 +/- 81 mu m to 243 +/- 58 mu m and from 437 +/- 71 mu m to 254 +/- 44 mu m from the baseline to the last follow-up visit in the Ra and Dex groups, respectively. No patients developed significant cataract or ocular hypertension in both groups. Conclusion: Both Ra and Dex are effective treatments for macular edema secondary to plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanoma. Dex-treated patients required fewer injections to achieve anatomical and functional improvement.