The era of intraocular drug delivery has started. A year ago, Allergan began shipping Ozurdex to the private sector. As with most of these “injections,” Ozurdex is injected into the vitreous cavity. Ozurdex releases the steroid dexamethasone for 4-6 months. Ozurdex for Retinal Vein Occlusions and Uveitis The mainstay of treatment for retinal vein occlusions has been laser … [Read more...]
Iluvien Gets Closer to FDA for Diabetic Retinopathy
September 1, 2010 By 5 Comments
Iluvien, an injectable drug delivery system for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, gets closer to becoming FDA approved. Alimera Sciences announced this week that the FDA has given the investigational device "Priority Review" status. Priority Review status hastens the chances of full FDA endorsement from 10 months to 6 months. What is Iluvien? Iluvien is a sustained drug delivery system … [Read more...]
Iluvien Treatment for Diabetic Macular Edema
July 1, 2010 By 9 Comments
Iluvien gets closer to FDA approval for treatment of diabetic macular edema. Earlier this week, I wrote about emerging treatments for diabetic retinopathy. Of the group, Iluvien is now the most likely to be available. Alimera Sciences has filed for NDA (New Drug Application) for Iluvien. In March, the company announced the favorable results in their clinical trials for the FDA. The NDA … [Read more...]
Mr. Ozurdex’s Vision is Sustained
March 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
"Mr. Ozurdex" is a patient in whom I injected Ozurdex® for the treatment of a branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Ozurdex, is the first sustained release drug delivery system for the eye. It was FDA approved for the treatment of retinal vein occlusions last summer (RVO). Allergan began marketing Ozurdex shortly after the FDA approval. Mr. Ozurdex was given an intraocular injection … [Read more...]
“Mrs. Ozurdex” Came Back, She Still Can’t See…Yet
February 1, 2010 By 4 Comments
Last week, I introduced "Mrs. Ozurdex," an elderly female who has a central retinal vein occlusion in her right eye. Several weeks ago, I implanted a sustained release steroid delivery system, called Ozurdex® (Allergan). Ozurdex is indicated, and FDA approved, for the treatment of CRVO. If you recall, another patient, "Mr. Ozurdex" had a branch retinal vein occlusion. He, too, received … [Read more...]
“Mrs. Ozurdex” Does Not See Well
January 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Ok, so Mr. Ozurdex is doing well. What about Mrs. Ozurdex? "Mrs. Ozurdex" (the names have been changed to remain HIPAA compliant) came to my office in November with complaints of sudden, painless loss of vision in her left eye. I diagnosed her with a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Again, this is a different diagnosis, and problem, than diabetic retinopathy or macular … [Read more...]
“Mr. Ozurdex” is Seeing Well
January 21, 2010 By 7 Comments
Ozurdex is a new injectable drug delivery system for the eye. Over the past few months we've talked about new technology and the emergence of several sustained release drug delivery systems. About 2 weeks ago, I injected the left eye of one of my patients with Ozurdex™. Ozurdex will release a steroid, dexamethasone, for up to 6 months. The FDA approved Ozurdex for the treatment of … [Read more...]
SurModics’ Drug Delivery to Release Lucentis for Macular Degeneration
October 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment
In a press release this week, Surmodics, Inc., announced its agreement with Roche and Genentech, manufactureres of Lucentis® (ranibizumab), to develop a sustained release drug delivery system for the treatment of wet macular degeneration. Surmodics has a drug delivery system based upon biodegradable microparticles that may potentially reduce the annual number injections of Lucentis® a patient … [Read more...]
Intraocular Drug Delivery – It’s About Timing
September 29, 2009 By 2 Comments
Ok, maybe a little pun in the title. Yesterday, I wrote about Alimera's study using Iluvien™ for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. As we have been commonly using intraocular steroid injections to treat this condition (see previous posts under "treatments"), it only makes sense that there are now products (Ozurdex/Allergan and Iluvien/Alimera) that have been designed for long-term … [Read more...]
