Is it possible to use long acting steroid preparations such as the dexamethasone intravitreal implant Ozurdex to prevent a deterioration in vision in patients with diabetes undergoing cataract surgery in central Australia.

This study is testing whether a long-acting steroid eye injection called Ozurdex can help protect the eyesight of people with diabetes who are having cataract surgery in Central Australia. Diabetic macular edema — swelling at the back of the eye — is a common cause of vision loss in people with diabetes and can get worse around the time of surgery. You may be eligible if: - You are 18 years of age or older - You have diabetes and either active diabetic macular edema or diabetic retinopathy - You have a significant cataract (grade 3 or higher) and are scheduled for cataract surgery - Your vision in the affected eye is reduced to at least the level of 6/9 - You are a patient of the Central Australian and Barkly Integrated Eye Health Service You may NOT be eligible if: - You have had an eye injection within the last 6 weeks, laser eye treatment in the last 3 months, or a steroid injection in the eye within the last 6 months - You have open-angle glaucoma or a history of high eye pressure requiring treatment - You have another eye condition besides diabetic eye disease causing your vision loss - You are under 18 years old Talk to your doctor about whether this trial might be right for you.