Retisert™

Uveitis is an inflammation in the middle area of the eye that can cause light sensitivity, glare, redness, blurry vision, and pain. The condition can also affect the retina and optic nerve at the back of the eye. Eventually, uveitis can lead to glaucoma, cataracts, macular edema, retinal detachment, and loss of vision.

Approximately 38,000 Americans develop Uveitis every year. It is most commonly seen in patients after age 40. Uveitis is responsible for about 15% of new cases of blindness.

	Steroid eye drops reduce inflammation, but many patients with chronic uveitis have had to have injections, too.

Steroid eye drops are often useful in reducing inflammation and pain. However, chronic sufferers or patients with uveitis that affects the back of the eye, until recently, required routine injections of steroids around the outside of the eye. These injections last anywhere from six weeks to three months but must be repeated when the symptoms return.

In April of 2005, the FDA approved a new treatment for uveitis called Retisert™, manufactured by Bausch & Lomb. Retisert is a tiny implant containing steroid medication, that when surgically placed in the eye, slowly releases steroid medication for about 1000 days (about two and a half years).

Why we offer our patients Retisert:

• Studies show that Retisert can dramatically reduce inflammation and, in some patients, improves the quality of their vision.
• Patients who are treated with Retisert can avoid the pain and inconvenience of frequent injections.

Patients who receive Retisert still experience complications and side effects from long term use of steroids such as cataract development and the glaucoma. However, these conditions are treatable.