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The Ophthalmologist / Issues / 2026 / August / A Sequential Approach to DME
Retina News Health Economics and Policy

A Sequential Approach to DME

Observational study examines whether a sequential steroid strategy could reduce injection burden in diabetic macular edema

8/12/2026 3 min read

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Clinical Scorecard: A Sequential Approach to DME

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionDiabetic Macular Edema (DME)
Key MechanismsCombination of anti-VEGF injections and dexamethasone intravitreal implant to address vascular and inflammatory factors.
Target PopulationTreatment-naïve patients with diabetic macular edema.
Care SettingOphthalmology clinics

Key Highlights

  • Sequential '1 + 1 + PRN' regimen showed comparable outcomes to standard '3 + PRN' protocol.
  • Average of 2.6 injections required in the sequential group versus 4.9 in the conventional group.
  • No significant differences in visual acuity or retinal anatomy between treatment groups.
  • DME recurrence observed in three eyes with standard treatment, none in sequential regimen.
  • Safety findings indicated manageable elevated intraocular pressure with no serious adverse events.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

  • Assess best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT).
  • Utilize optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) for biomarker evaluation.

Management

  • Consider sequential '1 + 1 + PRN' regimen for treatment-naïve DME patients.

Monitoring & Follow-up

  • Regular follow-up for visual acuity, retinal anatomy, and intraocular pressure.

Risks

  • Monitor for elevated intraocular pressure, although manageable with topical medication.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Newly diagnosed diabetic macular edema patients.

Early introduction of dexamethasone may reduce treatment burden and maintain outcomes.

Clinical Best Practices

  • Implement a combination approach addressing both vascular and inflammatory components of DME.
  • Evaluate patient response to treatment and adjust regimen as necessary.

Related Resources & Content

  • Eye Discovery Study

This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.

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