dexamethasone (Ocular Therapeutix)

Dexamethasone is a potent synthetic glucocorticoid used for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. The intracanalicular formulation, marketed as Dextenza, is a resorbable, preservative-free hydrogel insert designed to provide sustained release of 0.4 mg of dexamethasone to the ocular surface over approximately 30 days. Developed by Ocular Therapeutix, the insert is placed in the lacrimal canaliculus, where it slowly releases the medication and eventually resorbs, eliminating the need for patient-administered eye drops. It is FDA-approved for the treatment of ocular inflammation and pain following ophthalmic surgery and for the treatment of ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

Brand names

Dextenza

Other names

dexamethasone intracanalicular insertdexamethasone ophthalmic insertintracanalicular dexamethasone