Dexamethasone ophthalmic insert has potential as non-abusable therapy for allergic conjunctivitis

Due to its sustained 30 day efficacy, intracanalicular dexamethasone insert (Dextenza;) has the potential to be a non-abusable treatment for allergic conjunctivitis, a condition which current standard of care is often linked with steroid abuse, cytotoxic damage, and compliance issues.

Data from an analysis of 3 clinical trials evaluating Dextenza for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis were presented at ASCRS 2022.

For all study visits through Day 30, patients treated with Dextenza (n = 127) had a statistically significant lower mean ocular itching score compared to those treated with placebo-vehicle (n = 128) at 3, 5, and 7 minutes post-challenge using a modified Conjunctival Allergen Challenge Model.

Across all 96 timepoints in the 3 included studies, treatment differences in mean ocular itching scores were better for those treated with Dextenza; at 82% of timepoints there was a ≥0.5 unit treatment difference observed.

The most common ocular adverse events reported with Dextenza were IOP (3%), increased lacrimation (1%), eye discharge (1%), and reduced visual acuity (1%).

Reference
Silverstein SM, et al. Sustained 30 Day Effect of an Intracanalicular Dexamethasone Insert for Treating Ocular Itching Associated with Allergic Conjunctivitis. Presented at: ASCRS 2022.