Although data suggest that anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections work well for most, but not all, patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), real-world evidence indicates that outcomes fall far short of those seen in studies. While steroids like dexamethasone and fluocinolone—both available as implants—are used as alternatives, real-world evidence to support positive outcomes in the Fluocinolone Acetonide in Diabetic Macular Edema (FAME) trials are lacking. To assess whether FAME findings could be reproduced in clinical practice, investigators analyzed data from patients with 3 years of follow-up after flucinolone acetonide (FAc) implant therapy. Similar outcomes were observed as those seen in FAME, with visual acuity (VA) stabilized or improved in 71% of eyes and 20/40 vision achieved in 32% of eyes. No significant deterioration during the 3 years was seen in eyes that started with a VA of 20/40, and eyes with a shorter duration of disease showed greater improvements in VA. Safety data were similar with those in FAME.
