Intravitreal Implants: Ozurdex, Iluvien, Yutiq, Susvimo and More
Last updated: October 2026
Sustained-release implants deliver drug inside the eye for months to years, cutting down on injections. The field has changed a lot: several early devices have gone, and new ones (a refillable port and an encapsulated cell therapy) have arrived.
Implants in current use
| Implant | Drug and design | Duration | Main uses | Key points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozurdex | Dexamethasone 0.7 mg in a biodegradable PLGA (poly lactic-co-glycolic acid) rod (NOVADUR system), injected through a 22-gauge applicator | Peak effect around 2 months; clinically about 3–6 months | Macular oedema from RVO (GENEVA trials), diabetic macular oedema (MEAD), non-infectious posterior uveitis (HURON) | Raised IOP and cataract. Can migrate into the anterior chamber in aphakic eyes or eyes with a ruptured posterior capsule, causing corneal oedema. |
| Iluvien | Fluocinolone acetonide 0.19 mg in a non-biodegradable tube, injected through 25-gauge; releases about 0.2 µg/day | Up to 36 months | Diabetic macular oedema (FAME trials). The label was extended in 2025 to chronic non-infectious uveitis of the posterior segment. | Often given after a steroid challenge to show the IOP will not rise unacceptably |
| Yutiq | Fluocinolone acetonide 0.18 mg, injected | Up to 36 months | Chronic non-infectious uveitis of the posterior segment | Reduces uveitis recurrences. Raised IOP and cataract are expected. |
| Retisert | Fluocinolone acetonide 0.59 mg pellet, sutured to the sclera through a pars plana incision | About 30 months | Chronic non-infectious posterior uveitis | Very high rates of glaucoma surgery and cataract. Largely replaced by the injectable implants. |
| Susvimo (port delivery system) | Refillable reservoir of ranibizumab 100 mg/mL, implanted surgically at the pars plana and refilled in clinic | Refills about every 6 months | Neovascular AMD (FDA 2021); diabetic macular oedema (FDA 2025) | Recalled in October 2022 for septum dislodgement and reintroduced in July 2024 with design changes. Endophthalmitis risk is higher than with monthly injections, so careful conjunctival closure is essential. |
| Encelto (revakinagene taroretcel) | Encapsulated cell therapy: a semi-permeable capsule of engineered RPE cells that release ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), surgically implanted | Long-term | Macular telangiectasia type 2 (FDA, March 2025). The first approved treatment for MacTel. | Slows photoreceptor loss. This is the "ECT CNTF implant" once studied for GA and RP. |
Anterior chamber implants for glaucoma
The bimatoprost implant (Durysta) and the travoprost implant (iDose TR) sit in the anterior chamber angle rather than the vitreous. See new glaucoma drugs, implants and MIGS.
Historical implants (exam favourites)
- Vitrasert: a ganciclovir 4.5 mg non-biodegradable implant (PVA and EVA polymers) for CMV retinitis, releasing about 1 µg/hour for roughly 5–8 months. It became obsolete with effective antiretroviral therapy and was discontinued.
- I-vation: a helical triamcinolone-coated screw for DME. Development stopped.
- Brimonidine intravitreal implant: studied for geographic atrophy as a neuroprotectant. It did not reach approval.
- NT-503: an encapsulated-cell anti-VEGF implant for wet AMD. Development stopped.
Viva pearls
- Biodegradable: Ozurdex. Non-biodegradable: Iluvien, Yutiq, Retisert, Vitrasert, Susvimo.
- The steroid implant with the highest glaucoma risk is Retisert (fluocinolone 0.59 mg).
- Trials to know: GENEVA (RVO), MEAD (DME) and HURON (uveitis) for Ozurdex; FAME for Iluvien; Archway for Susvimo.
- Avoid Ozurdex in eyes without an intact posterior capsule because of the risk of migration into the anterior chamber.
Related: intravitreal drug doses, ocular drug delivery systems and treat-and-extend regimens.
Key sources
- EyeWiki: Port Delivery System (Susvimo)
- FDA approves Encelto for MacTel type 2 (March 2025)
- FDA approves expanded label for Iluvien (2025)
- FDA approves Susvimo for DME (2025)
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