Novel intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide implant in the treatment of chronic noninfectious posterior uveitis

Abstract

Noninfectious posterior uveitis is a group of heterogeneous intraocular inflammatory diseases with high visual morbidity and devastating socioeconomic impact. Corticosteroids, currently used for the first-line treatment of uveitis, are limited by systemic toxicity. Other immunosuppressants used as steroid-sparing agents have their own systemic side effects. Retisert™ is a fluocinolone acetonide sustained-release intravitreal implant designed to release drug locally for up to 30 months in the posterior segment of the eye for the treatment of uveitis. Two large randomized trials have shown that Retisert reduces the rate of uveitis recurrence in implanted eyes compared with the fellow eye. Retisert also significantly improved visual acuity in implanted eyes. However, there is a significant incidence of glaucoma and cataract in eyes treated with the Retisert implant. Retisert offers a new potent treatment option for patients with sight-threatening uveitis.

Keywords::

• fluocinolone acetonide
• inflammation
• posterior uveitis
• Retisert™