Effectiveness and tolerability of the fluocinolone acetonide implant in patients with diabetic macular edema in the UAE: 24 and 36-month outcomes

Introduction The effectiveness and safety of the fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) implant was evaluated at Month 24 and, in some sustained for up to 36 months, in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and a pseudophakic lens treated in the UAE following prior anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and dexamethasone (DEX) implant. Methods This was a retrospective, observational audit study conducted between September 2017–September 2020 in which 22 patients were treated with the FAc implant and outcomes monitored for up to 36 months. Effectiveness outcomes were: best-corrected visual acuity (BVCA) and central macular thickness (CMT). Safety was assessed by monitoring intraocular pressure (IOP). All outcomes were measured at Months 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36. Results Significant improvements in mean BCVA were observed versus baseline from Month 1, which were maintained up to Month 24 (P