Dexamethasone intravitreal implantfor the treatment of noninfectious uveitis

Abstract

Uveitis can be a sight-threatening eye disease with significant morbidity.Corticosteroidsremain the mainstay of treatment of uveitis and provide an effective treatmentagainst ocular inflammation. However, the various modes available for corticosteroid drugdelivery can carry significant ocular and systemic side effects which can limit their use in thetreatment of uveitis. In an effort to avoid the damage to ocular structures that can ensue withrecurrent episodes of ocular inflammation, the side effects associated with systemic steroids,and the need for repeated administration of both topical and locally injected corticosteroids,sustained-release intraocular corticosteroid implants have been developed. The dexamethasone(DEX) drug delivery system (Ozurdex®; Allergan Inc, Irvine, CA), is a biodegradable intravitrealimplant. This implant has been shown to be effective in the treatment of macular edema andnoninfectious posterior uveitis and has been approved by the FDA for these entities. This review will highlight the current methods available for corticosteroid delivery to the eye with a particularemphasis on the DEX intravitreal implant and the evidence currently available for its use innoninfectious uveitis. © 2011 Hunter and Lobo, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd.