Bausch Surgical: Retisert®

Retisert^® (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) 0.59 mg represents a dramatic advance in the management of chronic noninfectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye. Now, for the first time, retina and uveitis specialists have the means to provide consistent long-term delivery of a corticosteroid agent, fluocinolone acetonide, precisely where it's needed.

Bausch & Lomb's patented drug-delivery microtechnology in Retisert consists of a tiny drug reservoir designed to deliver sustained levels of the well-known anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, fluocinolone acetonide, for approximately two-and-a-half years (30 months) directly to the back of the eye. Key benefits of Retisert, include:

Provides fluocinolone acetonide precisely where it's needed
Offers long-term control of inflammation
Manageable side-effect profile
Dramatically reduces recurrence rates of uveitis
At 34 weeks, approximately 80% of patients demonstrated stabilization or improvement in visual acuity, while 20% experienced a decrease
A straightforward surgical procedure that can usually be performed in an outpatient hospital setting

As with other steroid ophthalmic drugs, Retisert is contraindicated in most viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva and also in mycobacterial infection of the eye and fungal diseases of ocular structures. Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma, as well as increase the hazard of secondary ocular infections. In clinical trials, the most frequently reported ocular adverse events were cataract, increased ocular pressure, procedural complication and eye pain.