DEXAMETHASONE INTRAVITREAL IMPLANT FOR CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION DURING PREGNANCY

PURPOSE: To describe the management of active choroidal neovascularization (CNV) during pregnancy with the use of a dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DXI) (Ozurdex). METHODS: Case series of active CNV treated with DXI with at least 12-month follow-up retrospectively analyzed at 2 high-volume referral centers in France. Medical records and multimodal macular imaging were evaluated. RESULTS: Three eyes of 3 patients (age 30.0 ± 3.6 years) were included. One case of idiopathic CNV and two cases of CNV secondary to multifocal choroiditis were analyzed. Mean follow-up was 20.6 ± 4.0 months (range, 16-23 months). The DXI was given at second trimester of established pregnancy in all cases. Mean central retinal thickness decreased from 359 ± 53 μm to 301 ± 17 μm 1 month after DXI and remained stable up to 12 months of follow-up. Visual improvement in all cases was observed (mean 10 letters; range, 5-30 letters) 1 month after DXI and remained stable/increased up to 12-month follow-up (mean 22 letters; range, 10-30 letters). All patients had an uneventful prenatal course and delivered a healthy full-term infant. CONCLUSION: In the authors' experience, a single DXI revealed safe and effective in CNV treatment during pregnancy.