Intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide implant (ILUVIEN®) for diabetic macular oedema: a literature review

• Published in: Journal of International Medical Research Vol. 47; no. 1; pp. 31 - 43
• Main Authors: Massa, Horace, Nagar, Anindyt M., Vergados, Athanasios, Dadoukis, Panagiotis, Patra, Sudeshna, Panos, Georgios D.
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2019; Sage Publications Ltd; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Angiogenesis Inhibitors - pharmacokinetics; Angiogenesis Inhibitors - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacokinetics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Diabetes; Diabetic retinopathy; Diabetic Retinopathy - complications; Diabetic Retinopathy - metabolism; Diabetic Retinopathy - physiopathology; Diabetic Retinopathy - therapy; Drug Implants - chemistry; Edema; Fluocinolone Acetonide - pharmacokinetics; Fluocinolone Acetonide - pharmacology; Humans; Intravitreal Injections; Light Coagulation - methods; Low-Level Light Therapy - methods; Macular Edema - etiology; Macular Edema - metabolism; Macular Edema - physiopathology; Macular Edema - therapy; Patient Safety; Review; Transplants & implants; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - antagonists & inhibitors; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - metabolism; steroid implant; ILUVIEN; Diabetic macular oedema; intravitreal injections; diabetic retinopathy; fluocinolone acetonide; diabetes; anti-VEGF agents
• ISSN: 0300-0605; 1473-2300
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060518816884

Diabetic macular oedema (DMO) is a common complication of diabetic retinopathy and may lead to severe visual loss. In this review, we describe the pathophysiology of DMO and review current therapeutic options such as macular laser photocoagulation, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, and steroid implants with a focus on the new fluocinolone acetonide implant, ILUVIEN®. The results of the Fluocinolone Acetonide in Diabetic Macular Edema (FAME) studies are also presented together with the results of real-world studies to support the clinical use of ILUVIEN® in achieving efficient resolution of DMO and improving vision and macular anatomy in this challenging group of patients.