New Implant for Uveitis
Dr. Deupree begins a new,
breakthrough treatment for chronic posterior uveitis
with Retisert™ eye implant
Chronic uveitis, an inflammation of the inside of
the eye, can cause blurred
vision,
floaters, and
difficulty focusing. These
conditions can even lead
to permanent vision loss. In fact, uveitis is
estimated to be the cause of almost 15% of blindness
cases in the United States.
The inner (posterior) portion of the eye contains
the
vitreous and the
retina.
These structures can become inflamed and swell
during an episode of
posterior uveitis.
For decades, vitreous and
retina inflammation,
including posterior uveitis, has been treated with
steroids. Short-acting steroidal treatments include:
oral, intraocular and
topical applications. The use
of oral steroids can cause some undesirable side
effects in both the eye and the rest of the body. In
severe cases, strong chemotherapy drugs are required
-- causing even more severe side effects.
RETISERT™ is a new treatment
approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic
non-infectious uveitis affecting the
posterior
segment of the eye. The use of
RETISERT™ can eliminate the need for frequent,
repetitive oral and ocular steroid treatments.
RETISERT™, a tiny device about the size of a grain
of rice, contains specially formulated ocular
steroids. This minute mechanism is implanted
surgically into the back of the eye. It slowly
releases the anti-inflammatory steroid medication in
precise, measured amounts into the eye, on a daily
basis for about 2.5 years.
The surgery, which only takes an hour or less, is
performed by Dr. Deupree
at Mease Countryside's
Ambulatory Surgical Center in Safety Harbor,
Florida.
Intraocular steroids can cause the fluid
pressure
in the eye to rise above normal levels. Some
patients who receive the
RETISERT™ implant will require eye pressure lowering
medications within
the 2.5 years that the implant is active in the eye.
If you have chronic non-infectious posterior
uveitis, call The Macula
Center and ask about an appointment with Dr.
Deupree to evaluate your eye for possible
RETISERT™ treatment.
Refs: http://www.retisert.com
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