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\label{sec:materials}
This study utilized data from two prospective clinical trials at Sunderland Eye Infirmary, UK: the DIME Study (NIHR CPMS ID~48908) of treatment-na\"ive patients receiving intensive anti-VEGF therapy, and the INDEX Study (IRAS ID~281058) of chronic DME patients receiving fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implants. Key demographics are presented in Table~\ref{table:patient_info}.

\begin{table}[htbp]
\caption{Demographic and clinical characteristics of study participants.}
\label{table:patient_info}
\centering
\resizebox{0.4\textwidth}{!}{%
\begin{tabular}{l S[table-format=2.2(2)] S[table-format=2.2(2)]}
\hline
\multirow{2}{*}{\textbf{Characteristic}} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{\textbf{Study Cohort}} \\
\cline{2-3}
& {\textbf{DIME}} & {\textbf{INDEX}} \\
\hline
Total eyes & {35} & {20} \\
Age (years) & {56.83 $\pm$ 13.70} & {68.75 $\pm$ 5.91} \\
Gender (M/F) & {26/9} & {15/5} \\
DM duration (years) & {18.23 $\pm$ 8.50} & {20.60 $\pm$ 9.70} \\
DM type (1/2) & {13/22} & {2/18} \\
\hline
\multicolumn{3}{l}{\textbf{VA (ETDRS letters)}} \\
Baseline & {69.50 $\pm$ 9.28} & {64.90 $\pm$ 10.26} \\
Final follow-up* & {75.60 $\pm$ 9.49} & {67.95 $\pm$ 9.70} \\
\hline
\end{tabular}%
}

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\footnotesize
*Final follow-up was at 12 months for DIME study and 4-6 months for INDEX study.\\
DM = Diabetes Mellitus.
\end{minipage}
\end{table}

The DIME Study included 35 treatment-na\"ive diabetic patients with active DME (central macular thickness > 400 µm). Exclusion criteria included media opacities, laser scars within 1000 µm of foveal centre, concurrent macular disease, and vitreo-macular interface abnormalities. OCT imaging (Heidelberg Spectralis) parameters: scan angle 30$^{\circ}$ $\times$ 15$^{\circ}$, 145 lines, 30 µm spacing, 1536 $\times$ 496 pixels. Two eyes were excluded due to missing OCT volumes.

The INDEX study enrolled 20 chronic DME patients with $\geq$ 12months' disease history and suboptimal dexamethasone response. Exclusion criteria included prior dexamethasone response ($\ge$ 20\% CST reduction at 4+ months), other macular edema causes, macular pathology precluding improvement, pre-existing glaucoma/IOP issues ($>$ 25 mmHg requiring multiple treatments), and active ocular infection. OCT imaging (Heidelberg Spectralis) parameters: scan angle 20$^{\circ}$ $\times$ 20$^{\circ}$, 49 lines, 120 µm spacing, 512 $\times$ 496 pixels.
 
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