What are the differences between Retisert, Iluvien and Yutiq intravitreal implants?

Retisert, Iluvien and Yutiq are all intravitreal implants used for the treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye. Iluvien is also used for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).

Chronic non-infectious uveitis is inflammation inside the eye that affects the uvea (the middle layer of the eye). Posterior uveitis affects the back part of the uvea (the choroids). Common symptoms include eye pain, eye redness, floaters, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and possible loss of vision.

Diabetic macular edema occurs when fluid accumulates in the macula (the central part of the retina inside of the back of the eye) when diabetes is not well controlled. Common symptoms include blurry vision, and possible vision loss.

Retisert, Iluvien and Yutiq implants contain the anti-inflammatory drug fluocinolone, a corticosteroid medicine that helps to prevent inflammation and swelling in the eye.

Retisert (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant)

• FDA approved in 2005 for the treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye.
• each intravitreal implant contains 0.59 mg fluocinolone acetonide designed to release at an initial rate of 0.6 mcg per day, decreasing over the first month to a steady state between 0.3-0.4 mcg per day, over approximately 30 months.
• Retisert is implanted into the posterior segment of the affected eye through a pars plana incision.
• Ocular adverse events include procedural complications, and eye pain (> 50% of patients), ocular/conjunctival hyperemia, reduced visual acuity, and conjunctival
  hemorrhage (35 to 40% of patients). Non-ocular adverse events include headache (≥ 33% of patients).
• Based on clinical trials with Retisert, during the 3-year post-implantation period, nearly all phakic eyes are expected to develop cataracts and require cataract surgery.

Iluvien (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant)

• FDA approved in 2014 for the treatment of diabetic macular edema in patients who have been previously treated with a course of corticosteroids and did not have a clinically significant rise in intraocular pressure.
  FDA approved in 2025 for the treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye.
• each intravitreal implant contains 0.19 mg fluocinolone acetonide designed to release at an initial rate of 0.25 mcg per day, lasting 36 months.
• The Iluvien implant is inserted into the vitreous cavity of the eye via a 25-gauge needle.
• Intravitreal injections have been associated with endophthalmitis, eye inflammation, increased intraocular pressure, and retinal detachments. Common adverse reactions include cataract development and increases in intraocular pressure.

Yutiq (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant)

• FDA approved in 2018 for the treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye.
• each intravitreal implant contains 0.18 mg fluocinolone acetonide designed to release at an initial rate of 0.25 mcg per day, lasting 36 months.
• The Yutiq implant is inserted into the vitreous cavity via a 25-gauge needle.
• Intravitreal injections have been associated with endophthalmitis, eye inflammation, increased intraocular pressure, and retinal detachments. Common adverse reactions include cataract development and increases in intraocular pressure.

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Drug information

• Fluocinolone (9 reviews)
• Iluvien (1 reviews)
• Yutiq (2 reviews)
• Retisert (5 reviews)

Related support groups

• Fluocinolone (3 questions, 8 members)
• Iluvien (1 questions, 3 members)
• Yutiq (1 questions, 3 members)
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