Specialist clarifies criteria for choosing between approved sustained-release steroid implants

NICE, France — Sustained-release steroid implants are a successful strategy to use in well-selected patients with diabetic macular edema, taking into account potential complications. Regulatory approval by the European Medicines Agency and the FDA has clarified indications, Anat Loewenstein, MD, said at the Euretina meeting.Both Iluvien (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant 0.19 mg, Alimera Sciences) and Ozurdex (dexamethasone intravitreal implant 0.7 mg, Allergan) have proved successful in targeting the inflammatory pathway and effective in improving vision for a long period, Loewenstein said.