Objective:
To compare the efficacy and treatment burden of Iluvien implant versus anti-VEGF therapy in patients with early diabetic macular edema (DME).
Key Findings:
- Iluvien group required an average of 3.4 total injections over 18 months, compared to 7.5 in the aflibercept-only group.
- One-third of patients in the Iluvien arm required no supplemental injections.
- Mean time from last injection to first supplemental injection was significantly longer with Iluvien (185.4 days vs 132.8 days).
Interpretation:
Iluvien achieved similar visual outcomes while significantly reducing the number of injections required, suggesting its potential for earlier use in DME treatment.
Limitations:
- The study was limited to a specific patient population and may not generalize to all DME patients.
- Long-term effects beyond 18 months were not assessed.
Conclusion:
The findings support the use of long-acting corticosteroid implants like Iluvien in the treatment pathway for diabetic macular edema.
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