22-gauge sclerotomy architecture evaluated by anterior segment optical coherence tomography

Since 2009 there is a new dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DII) to treat macular oedema following vascular obstruction and uveitis. The applicator system consists of a sterile, single-use instrument via 22-gauge needle and was designed to create a self-sealing wound.1 In the 12 months safety and efficacy study,2 including 1256 patients, no adverse events related to the sclerotomy wound were found. The aim of this study is to describe the scleral wound closure using anterior segment spectral domain optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in 27 eyes of 23 patients treated with DII. We designed a prospective observational study with 27 eyes of 23 consecutive patients treated with DII due to macular oedema. We excluded eyes with known allergies to the studied medication and other coexisting ocular disorders such as conjunctival or scleral scarring, aphakia, active ocular infection, glaucoma and intraocular pressure (IOP) >23 mm Hg. All surgeries were performed under topical anaesthesia by two experienced vitreoretinal surgeons in accordance …