CHANGES IN VISUAL FUNCTION AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA AFTER INTRAVITREAL ADMINISTRATION OF A DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT

Abstract

Purpose – to evaluate changes in visual functions and quality of life in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) after intravitreal dexamethasone implant therapy.

Material and methods
The study included 154 patients (154 eyes) diagnosed with DME. The observation period was 6 months. Participants were divided into four groups: Group 1 included patients with newly diagnosed DME. Group 2: patients resistant to loading doses of ranibizumab. Group 3: patients resistant to aflibercept-based anti-VEGF therapy. Group 4 consisted of patients with persistent retinal edema in the macular area after five intravitreal injections of brolucizumab. All patients underwent Intravitreal Vitreous Implant of Dexamethasone (IVVID).

Quality of life was assessed using the short-form World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL) administered before IVVID and 6 months after treatment.

Results
Following treatment, significant improvements in QoL domains were observed across all groups: Group 1 showed high QoL indicators in physical and psychological well-being; Group 2 demonstrated improvements in self-perception and microsocial support; Group 3 achieved the highest scores in self-perception, microsocial support and social well-being; Group 4 exhibited high QoL levels across all assessed domains.

Conclusion
Impaired visual function due to retinal changes in DME adversely affects multiple dimensions of quality of life. Effective treatment not only improves visual acuity but also leads to substantial enhancements in overall quality of life.