To evaluate the safety and efficacy of dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex) and compare it with safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab in eyes with macular edema after plaque radiotherapy of uveal melanoma.
Plaque radiotherapy is a commonly used method for treatment of small and medium-sized uveal melanomas. Macular edema is one of the most common causes of visual loss after plaque radiotherapy and has been reported in up to 70% of patients with posterior uveal melanoma. Different methods have been proposed for treatment of post-radiation macular edema and include periocular steroid, intravitreal steroid, intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, photodynamic therapy, and macular laser photocoagulation. Injection of intravitreal triamcinolone (a form of steroid) has been found to be useful for treatment of different forms of macular edema but is associated with considerable rates of increased intraocular pressure (glaucoma). Dexamethasone is more potent than triamcinolone and can be safely injected directly into the vitreous cavity (intravitreal injection) but unfortunately its use in the form of intravitreal injection is not practical due to the short half-life of intraocular dexamethasone (about 3 hours). Within the past several years, tiny drug delivery systems have been developed that allow sustained release of minute amounts of steroid into the back part (vitreous cavity) of the eye, when they are implanted into the vitreous cavity. Ozurdex is a biodegradable dexamethasone intravitreal implant that has been shown to be well-tolerated and effective for up to 6 months in reducing vision loss and improving visual outcome in eyes with different types of macular edema including those secondary to diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion. In this study the investigators would like to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Ozurdex (dexamethasone intravitreal implant) for treatment of macular edema developing after plaque radiotherapy of uveal melanoma.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
6
Eyes in the Ozurdex group can have a maximum total of three Ozurdex insertions in the first 12 months after enrolling into the study. The criteria for retreatment with Ozurdex are: i.The study eye must have shown initial favorable response to prior Ozurdex implant (\>10% decrease in central macular thickness with maintenance \[change in BCVA of \<=1 line\] or improvement of visual acuity \[increase of BCVA of \>1 line\]) ii. Interval since last Ozurdex implant should be \> 4 and \< 12 months. iii. The study eye must show definite evidence of recurrence of macular edema.
Eyes in the Bevacizumab group can have a maximum total of twelve bevacizumab injections in the first year after enrolling into the study. All patients will receive 6 monthly injections after entering the study. After the sixth injection (at month 5) the interval between injections will be extended to 6 weeks if the study eye has shown initial favorable response to prior intravitreal bevacizumab.
Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Institute
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Number of Participants for Whom Study Eye Showed >=2 Lines of Improvement in Best-corrected Visual Acuity
The number of participants that developed 2 or more lines of visual acuity improvement in the study eye. Visual acuity was measured with Snellen eye chart placed 10 feet away from the patient.
Time frame: At 12 months
Change in Central Subfield Retinal Thickness
Increase or decrease in central subfield retinal thickness in microns based on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography measurement
Time frame: At 12 months
Development of Glaucoma
Intraocular pressure more than 21 mm Hg as measured with applanation tonometry.
Time frame: At 12 months
Development of Cataract
Development of visually-significant lens opacity based on judgement of examining physician.
Time frame: At 12 months
Development of Retinal Detachment
Development of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in the study eye.
Time frame: At 12 months
Development of Vitreous Hemorrhage
Development of hemorrhage in the vitreous cavity detectable with slit lamp examination or dilated funduscopy.
Time frame: At 12 months
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