New Publication for the CJO Titled: Intravitreal Fluocinolone Acetonide 0.19mg Iluvien Implant for Radiation Maculopathy Recently Published
April 15, 2026: Ground-Breaking Research supported by The Eye Cancer Foundation, “ Intravitreal Fluocinolone Acetonide 0.19mg Iluvien Implant for Radiation Maculopathy.” Long-acting steroid implants reduces or eliminated the need for intraocular anti-VEGF injections.
Drs. Paul T Finger, Ankit Tomar and Shayri Pillai have recently published an article revealing the effectiveness of “Intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide 0.19 mg Iluvien (R) implants” as treatment for radiation maculopathy!
Unlike typical intravitreal injections, these steroid implants were known to last 1-2 years in treatment of other eye diseases. Our doctors first patients either could not take anti-VEGF injections or they had radiation maculopathy that no longer responded to standard anti-VEGF therapy. This ground-breaking study found that FAc implants were effectively reduced or eliminated the need for intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for most study patients. They achieved positive results showing stabilization of macular edema and visual acuity for most patients. Steroid implants also either reduced or eliminated the intravitreal anti-VEGF injection burden for some patients. Not all patients with radiation maculopathy were candidates for intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide 0.19 mg Iluvien (R) implants.
Patients initially received intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy. Those who were intolerant or refractory to anti-VEGF were transitioned to the FAc implant. The main outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and central foveal thickness (CFT) on optical coherence tomography.
FAc implants were an effective treatment for RM patients who were refractory or intolerant to maximal intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy. They achieved positive results in the stabilization of macular edema and visual acuity, as well as reduced the intravitreal anti-VEGF injection burden for some patients.
This study received approval from the Ethics Committee and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the New York Eye Cancer Center. It was conducted in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and adhered to the Tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. Patients were informed of the potential risks and benefits associated with the use of long-acting steroid implants. Discussed risks include cataract formation, steroid-induced glaucoma, retinal detachment, and endophthalmitis; while potential benefits include the preservation of vision and a reduction in the frequency of anti-VEGF injections.
Drs. Paul T Finger, Ankit Tomar and Shayri Pillai have recently published an article revealing the effectiveness of “Intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide 0.19 mg Iluvien (R) implants” as treatment for radiation maculopathy!
Unlike typical intravitreal injections, these steroid implants were known to last 1-2 years in treatment of other eye diseases. Our doctors first patients either could not take anti-VEGF injections or they had radiation maculopathy that no longer responded to standard anti-VEGF therapy. This ground-breaking study found that FAc implants were effectively reduced or eliminated the need for intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for most study patients. They achieved positive results showing stabilization of macular edema and visual acuity for most patients. Steroid implants also either reduced or eliminated the intravitreal anti-VEGF injection burden for some patients. Not all patients with radiation maculopathy were candidates for intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide 0.19 mg Iluvien (R) implants.
Patients initially received intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy. Those who were intolerant or refractory to anti-VEGF were transitioned to the FAc implant. The main outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and central foveal thickness (CFT) on optical coherence tomography.
FAc implants were an effective treatment for RM patients who were refractory or intolerant to maximal intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy. They achieved positive results in the stabilization of macular edema and visual acuity, as well as reduced the intravitreal anti-VEGF injection burden for some patients.
This study received approval from the Ethics Committee and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the New York Eye Cancer Center. It was conducted in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and adhered to the Tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. Patients were informed of the potential risks and benefits associated with the use of long-acting steroid implants. Discussed risks include cataract formation, steroid-induced glaucoma, retinal detachment, and endophthalmitis; while potential benefits include the preservation of vision and a reduction in the frequency of anti-VEGF injections.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: https://www.canadianjournalofophthalmology.ca/article/S0008-4182(25)00417-X/fulltext
