Eyeworld

ATARACT C COMPLICATED CASES 26 | EYEWORLD | SEPTEMBER 2023 Using CTRs in practice A capsular tension ring (CTR) can be a useful tool for ophthalmologists to have on hand during surgery. Two physicians discussed the available products, when the best time is to use them, and methods for good placement. John Hart Jr., MD, said there are three CTR products that he routinely uses: a standard CTR, a Cionni CTR, and the Ahmed capsular tension segment. "I use a CTR in approximately 10% of my cataract cases," Dr. Hart said. "Patients with zonular abnormalities are commonly referred to me by other ophthalmologists. I think that most ophthalmologists don't use them as fre- quently as I do." When a CTR is properly positioned in the capsular bag, it distributes support from areas with intact zonules to areas with weak or missing zonules, Dr. Hart said. The CTR also keeps the equator of the capsular bag expanded in areas where zonules are missing. "This is important because if zonules are missing and the cataract is being removed, the equator of the bag will collapse inward, in- creasing the likelihood of damaging the capsular bag with the phacoemulsification or I/A tip," he said. "If the equator of the bag collapses inward, there is also a much greater chance of vitreous loss and subsequent vitreous-retinal complications." Dr. Hart said that the CTR should be placed "as late as possible but as early as you need it," adding that this is a direct quote from Kenneth Rosenthal, MD. "In the FDA tri- als for the standard Morcher CTR, we placed the CTR after hydrodissection," he said. "I commonly place the CTR after cortical cleanup. That way I don't trap cortex between the CTR and the capsule." Yuri McKee, MD, noted that there are several different types, sizes, and manufacturers of CTRs. "Most designs are a simple, smooth 'C' ring with eyelets at the terminal ends," he said. "Sizing is typically done using the white-to-white measurement as a surrogate for capsular diameter." He said the Henderson CTR has undulations on the ring designed to allow for the removal of cortex from behind the CTR. More specialized CTRs, such as the Ahmed segment or Cionni ring, are designed to allow for scleral fixation of the device in the case of severe zonular compromise, he said. Dr. McKee said he uses a CTR if focal zonular compro- mise is noted, either prior to or during surgery. "This is around 5% of my cases, but as a referral practice, I probably see more cataracts with zonular deficiency than average," he said. BRIEF SUMMARY: Please see the DEXTENZA Package Insert for full Prescribing Information (10/2021) 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE 1.1 Ocular Inflammation and Pain Following Ophthalmic Surgery DEXTENZA ® (dexamethasone ophthalmic insert) is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of ocular inflammation and pain following ophthalmic surgery (1.1). 1.2 Itching Associated with Allergic Conjunctivitis DEXTENZA ® (dexamethasone ophthalmic insert) is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis (1.2). 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS DEXTENZA is contraindicated in patients with active corneal, conjunctival or canalicular infections, including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, varicella; mycobacterial infections; fungal diseases of the eye, and dacryocystitis. 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS 5.1 Intraocular Pressure Increase Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision. Steroids should be used with caution in the presence of glaucoma. Intraocular pressure should be monitored during the course of the treatment. 5.2 Bacterial Infection Corticosteroids may suppress the host response and thus increase the hazard for secondary ocular infections. In acute purulent conditions, steroids may mask infection and enhance existing infection [see Contraindications (4)]. 5.3 Viral Infections Use of ocular steroids may prolong the course and may exacerbate the severity of many viral infections of the eye (including herpes simplex) [see Contraindications (4)]. 5.4 Fungal Infections Fungus invasion must be considered in any persistent corneal ulceration where a steroid has been used or is in use. Fungal culture should be taken when appropriate [see Contraindications (4)]. 5.5 Delayed Healing The use of steroids after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation. 5.6 Other Potential Corticosteroid Complications The initial prescription and renewal of the medication order of DEXTENZA should be made by a physician only after examination of the patient with the aid of magnification, such as slit lamp biomicroscopy, and, where appropriate, fluorescein staining. If signs and symptoms fail to improve after 2 days, the patient should be re-evaluated. 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: • Intraocular Pressure Increase [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] • Bacterial Infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] • Viral Infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] • Fungal Infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] • Delayed Healing [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse reactions associated with ophthalmic steroids include elevated intraocular pressure, which may be associated with optic nerve damage, visual acuity and field defects, posterior subcapsular cataract formation; delayed wound healing; secondary ocular infection from pathogens including herpes simplex, and perforation of the globe where there is thinning of the cornea or sclera [see Warnings and Precautions (5)]. 6.2 Ocular Inflammation and Pain Following Ophthalmic Surgery DEXTENZA safety was studied in four randomized, vehicle-controlled studies (n = 567). The mean age of the population was 68 years (range 35 to 87 years), 59% were female, and 83% were white. Forty-seven percent had brown iris color and 30% had blue iris color. The most common ocular adverse reactions that occurred in patients treated with DEXTENZA were: anterior chamber inflammation including iritis and iridocyclitis (10%); intraocular pressure increased (6%); visual acuity reduced (2%); cystoid macular edema (1%); corneal edema (1%); eye pain (1%) and conjunctival hyperemia (1%). The most common non-ocular adverse reaction that occurred in patients treated with DEXTENZA was headache (1%). 6.3 Itching Associated with Allergic Conjunctivitis DEXTENZA safety was studied in four randomized, vehicle-controlled studies (n= 154). The mean age of the population was 41 years (range 19 to 69 years), 55% were female and 61% were white. Fifty seven percent had brown iris color and 20% had blue iris color. The most common ocular adverse reactions that occurred in patients treated with DEXTENZA were: intraocular pressure increased (3%), lacrimation increased (1%), eye discharge (1%), and visual acuity reduced (1%). The most common non-ocular adverse reaction that occurred in patients treated with DEXTENZA was headache (1%). 8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate or well-controlled studies with DEXTENZA in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. In animal reproduction studies, administration of topical ocular dexamethasone to pregnant mice and rabbits during organogenesis produced embryofetal lethality, cleft palate and multiple visceral malformations [see Animal Data]. Data Animal Data Topical ocular administration of 0.15% dexamethasone (0.75 mg/kg/day) on gestational days 10 to 13 produced embryofetal lethality and a high incidence of cleft palate in a mouse study. A daily dose of 0.75 mg/kg/day in the mouse is approximately 5 times the entire dose of dexamethasone in the DEXTENZA product, on a mg/m 2 basis. In a rabbit study, topical ocular administration of 0.1% dexamethasone throughout organogenesis (0.36 mg /day, on gestational day 6 followed by 0.24 mg/day on gestational days 7-18) produced intestinal anomalies, intestinal aplasia, gastroschisis and hypoplastic kidneys. A daily dose of 0.24 mg/day is approximately 6 times the entire dose of dexamethasone in the DEXTENZA product, on a mg/m 2 basis. 8.2 Lactation Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth and interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production; however the systemic concentration of dexamethasone following administration of DEXTENZA is low [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. There is no information regarding the presence of DEXTENZA in human milk, the effects of the drug on the breastfed infant or the effects of the drug on milk production to inform risk of DEXTENZA to an infant during lactation. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for DEXTENZA and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from DEXTENZA. 8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. 8.5 Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients. 17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION Advise patients to consult their eye care professional if pain, redness, or itching develops. Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. Bedford, MA 01730 USA PP-US-DX-0360

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