Real-world experience with fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant in patients with diabetic macular edema

Objectives to evaluate long-term effectiveness and safety of fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) implant used as second-line treatment in patients with persistent diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods retrospective data chart review of 241 pseudophakic eyes of 178 patients treated with FAc from July 2017 to December 2021 in 10 medical retinal units in Italy. The primary endpoint was the change of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) at 2 years. A Student's paired t-test was used. Additional therapies for DME and intraocular pressure (IOP)-related events were also evaluated. Results efficacy of FAc was assessed in a subset of 111 eyes with at least 24 months of follow-up. Mean BCVA increased at 2 years by 5.1 ETDRS letters (95%CI = 2.6–7.5; p