Rate of hypotony and intraocular pressure fluctuation immediately after intravitreal dexamethasone implantation in vitrectomized eyes.

PURPOSE: To observe the rate of hypotony and intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations immediately following intravitreal dexamethasone implantation in vitrectomized eyes.

METHODS

The study included previously vitrectomized eyes scheduled to receive intravitreal dexamethasone implants. IOP measurements were performed at minute 1, minute 10, hour 1, hour 2, hour 3 and day 1. The primary outcome measure of the study was the rate of hypotony at the various time points, while the secondary outcome measure was the IOP profile over time.

RESULTS

A total of 26 eyes were enrolled in the study. Immediately following the injection, 11 (42.3%) of the eyes exhibited an IOP<6mm Hg. Hypotony was observed in one eye (3.8%) at hour 3 and day 1. After the immediate IOP reduction, IOP recovered rapidly and showed a peak at hour 1, with 5 eyes (19.2%) exhibiting IOP levels ≥25mmHg and 1 eye (3.8%) ≥30mm Hg. Aside from the eye with persistent hypotony resulting in a choroidal effusion, no other complication was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Injection of dexamethasone implants in vitrectomized eyes resulted in immediate IOP reduction. Hypotony showed a short, self-limited course in the majority of eyes. In the presence of additional risk factors for wound incompetency, regular follow-up in the early post-injection period appears to be needed.