Accidental Injections of Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant (Ozurdex®) into the Crystalline Lens

• Published in: European journal of ophthalmology Vol. 24; no. 4; pp. 633 - 636
• Main Authors: Coca-Robinot, Javier, Casco-Silva, Bruno, Armadá-Maresca, Felix, García-Martínez, Jesús
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-07-2014
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cataract Extraction; Dexamethasone - adverse effects; Dexamethasone - therapeutic use; Drug Implants - adverse effects; Female; Glucocorticoids - adverse effects; Glucocorticoids - therapeutic use; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Intravitreal Injections; Lens, Crystalline - drug effects; Macular Edema - drug therapy; Macular Edema - etiology; Male; Retinal Vein Occlusion - complications; Retinal Vein Occlusion - drug therapy; Visual Acuity - physiology; Vitrectomy; Retinal vein occlusion; Cataract; Macular edema; Ozurdex; Crystalline lens
• DOI: 10.5301/ejo.5000439
• EISSN: 1724-6016
• ISSN: 1120-6721

Purpose
To describe the side effects and management after inadvertent injection of a dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex®) into the crystalline lens.
Methods
Two case reports.
Results
Two patients with macular edema due to unilateral retinal vein occlusion were scheduled for an intravitreal injection of Ozurdex®. During the procedure, the implant was accidentally injected into the crystalline lens. Both patients developed cataracts during the course of several weeks and in both there was an intraocular pressure (IOP) increase, which required treatment with topical hypotensives. Macular edema improved only slightly. Cataract surgery with uneventful removal of the implant was performed 3 (case 1) and 6 months (case 2) after the injection.
Conclusions
After inadvertent injection of Ozurdex® into the crystalline lens, cataract surgery with removal of the implant should be performed as soon as possible in order to avoid IOP increase and so that the underlying condition may be treated adequately.