Dexamethasone Intracanalicular Insert Well-Retained Following Cataract Surgery

This article is part of MPR’s coverage of the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2019 Meeting, taking place in San Francisco, CA. Our staff will report on medical research related to eye disorders, conducted by experts in the field. Check back regularly for more news from AAO 2019.

SAN FRANCISCO – Dexamethasone ophthalmic intracanalicular insert (Dextenza; Ocular Therapeutix) was found to be well-retained throughout the 30-day postoperative period following cataract surgery, according to data presented at the 2019 American Academy of Ophthalmology Meeting in San Francisco, CA.

The ophthalmic insert is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ocular inflammation and pain following ophthalmic surgery. It is inserted in the lower lacrimal punctum and into the canaliculus where it releases a 0.4mg dose of dexamethasone for up to 30 days following insertion. 

To evaluate the number of inserts that were retained as well as the ease of insert removal, researchers reviewed data from 3 prospective, double-masked phase 3 trials involving 541 patients treated with the ophthalmic insert. 

Results showed that in the postoperative period, the retention rate was 99.6%; only 2 patients required insert removal. “Removals were successfully performed by manually applying pressure and were rated easy or moderately easy to remove,” the researchers concluded.

Reference

Bafna, S, et al. Retention of Dextenza (Dexamethasone Intracanalicular Insert), a Sustained-Release Corticosteroid in Phase 3 Clinical Trial Program. Poster number: PO003. The American Academy of Ophthalmology Meeting; October 12-15 2019.