Safety and efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone implantation along with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in children with uveitis.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone implantation during phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in pediatric uveitis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on pediatric uveitis patients undergoing phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation with intravitreal dexamethasone implantation. Patients with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were included. Primary outcome measures included ocular inflammation, intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and worsening of uveitis.

Results: 36 eyes of 28 patients were ultimately included in this study. The mean preoperative BCVA was 1.00 (0.40-1.50) LogMAR. BCVA significantly improved to 0.40 (0.20-0.54) LogMAR at 1 month postoperatively (P = 0.006), further improving to 0.30 (0.20-0.40) LogMAR at 3 months postoperatively (P = 0.001). BCVA remained stable at 0.30 (0.20-0.70) LogMAR at 6 months postoperatively (P = 0.005). Mean IOP showed no statistically significant difference during the follow-up period of three to six months after surgery. Eight children experienced recurrence of ocular inflammation during the 6-month follow-up period. No cases of worsening macular edema, glaucoma, or elevated IOP were observed in any patient.

Conclusions: Intravitreal dexamethasone implantation during phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation is a safe and effective method for preventing and treating postoperative inflammation in children with uveitis.