Intravitreal And Punctum Corticosteroid Implants

An intravitreal implant is a drug delivery system, injected or surgically implanted in the vitreous of the eye, for sustained release of a pharmacologic agent to the posterior and intermediate segments of the eye. Four intravitreal corticosteroid implants, ie, fluocinolone acetonide 0.59 mg (Retisert), fluocinolone acetonide 0.19 mg (Iluvien), fluocinolone acetonide 0.18 mg (Yutiq), and dexamethasone 0.7 mg (Ozurdex) are reviewed herein. Fluocinolone acetonide implants are nonerodible and deliver drug up to 30 to 36 months while dexamethasone implants are bioerodible and last up to 6 months. A punctum implant is a drug delivery device that is inserted through the lower lacrimal punctum into the canaliculus, for sustained release of a pharmacologic agent to the ocular surface. Dexamethasone ophthalmic insert 0.4 mg (Dextenza) is the first corticosteroid intracanalicular insert and is reviewed herein.