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Cohort studyEuropean journal of ophthalmology · 2026

Five-Year outcomes of the use of the dexamethasone implant in phakic, treatment-naïve patients with diabetic macular edema.

Alper Bilgic, Laurent Kodjikian, Martin S Spitzer … Thibaud Mathis

OphthalmologyCohort study

Dexamethasone implant associated with large vision gains in diabetic macular edema at 5 years

Five-Year outcomes of the use of the dexamethasone implant in phakic, treatment-naïve patients with diabetic macular edema.

Alper Bilgic … Thibaud Mathis

European journal of ophthalmology · 2026

Purpose

To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of the intravitreal dexamethasone implant (dexamethasone implant) as a primary treatment in phakic, treatment-naïve patients with diabetic macular edema (diabetic macular edema) over a five-year period.

Methods

Results122/153 patients originally enrolled for the prospective two-year follow-up study completed 5 years of follow-up and were included in the final analysis.

n = 153 patients

Results

of eyes had major vision improvement (15+ letter gain) at year 5

59%

≥15-letter BCVA gain

41.1%

20/40 or better

More results

Central subfield macular thickness reduction was significant and sustained throughout the follow-up( p = 0.013).

The mean number of injections over five years was 3.1.

Transient ocular hypertension was noted to occur in 20.3% of eyes, with no patient requiring incisional surgery for glaucoma.

More results

5.7% of eyes required treatment switch to anti-VEGF agents.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

In phakic, treatment-naïve patients with diabetic macular edema, long-term treatment with dexamethasone implant is associated with sustained visual and anatomical improvements, a low injection burden, and an acceptable safety profile over 5 years.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

These findings support its consideration as a primary treatment option in select patient populations with diabetic macular edema.

Post

Five-Year outcomes of the use of the dexamethasone implant in phakic, treatment-naïve patients with diabetic macular edema.

Dexamethasone implant associated with large vision gains in diabetic macular edema at 5 years

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