IOP Elevation in Patients Treated With Fluocinolone Acetonide Insert for Chronic Noninfectious Uveitis Affecting the Posterior Segment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Characterize timing of intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation in patients treated with fluocinolone acetonide insert (FAi) for uveitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A post-hoc subset analysis of data from a randomized, prospective, double-masked, sham-controlled, 3-year, phase 3 clinical trial with 129 participants with noninfectious posterior uveitis randomly assigned to receive 0.18-mg fluocinolone acetonide insert or sham injection. The number of eyes with IOP of 30 mm Hg or greater at different time points were recorded.

RESULTS

The incidence of FAi eyes that reached IOP 30 mm Hg or greater was 17.2%. The mean number of days to first IOP response was 241. IOP elevations were divided into four time periods: under 1 month (33%), 3 to 6 months (33%), 6 to 18 months (26.7%), and greater than 18 months (6.7%). Ten cases of elevated IOP were managed medically and five required surgical management. Visual field analysis revealed no significant change in mean deviation compared to patients' own, untreated eyes (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

IOP elevations occurred in 15 out of 87 patients treated with the FAi. The onset of elevated IOP was fairly evenly distributed across the 36-month trial. Patients should be regularly evaluated for increased IOP, which can be successfully managed by traditional means. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:387-390.].

Corticosteroids in ophthalmology: drug delivery innovations, pharmacology, clinical applications, and future perspectives

Corticosteroids remain the mainstay of the treatment for various ocular conditions affecting the ocular surface, anterior and posterior segments of the eye due to their anti-inflammatory, anti-oedematous, and anti-neovascularization properties. Prednisolone, prednisolone acetate, dexamethasone, triamcinolone acetonide, fluocinolone acetonide, and loteprednol etabonate are amongst the most widely used ophthalmic corticosteroids. Corticosteroids differ in their activity and potency in the eye due to their inherent pharmacological and pharmaceutical differences. Different routes and regimens are available for ocular administration of corticosteroids. Conventional topical application to the eye is the route of choice when targeting diseases affecting the ocular surface and anterior segment, while periocular, intravitreal, and suprachoroidal injections can be potentially effective for posterior segment diseases. Corticosteroid-induced intraocular pressure elevation and cataract formation remain the most significant local risks following topical as well as systemic corticosteroid administration. Invasive drug administration via intracameral, subconjunctival, and intravitreal injection can enhance ocular bioavailability and minimize dose and dosing frequency of administration, yet may exacerbate ocular side effects of corticosteroids. This review provides a critical appraisal of the ophthalmic uses of corticosteroid, routes of administration, drug delivery fundamentals and novel ocular implantable steroid delivery systems, factors influencing side effects, and future perspectives for ocular corticosteroid therapy.

Challenges and opportunities for drug delivery to the posterior of the eye

Drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye remains challenging even though the eye is readily accessible. Its unique and complex anatomy and physiology contribute to the limited options for drug delivery via non-invasive topical treatment, which is the prevalent ophthalmic treatment. To treat the most common retinal diseases, intravitreal (IVT) injection has been a common and effective therapy. With the advancement of nanotechnologies, novel formulations and drug delivery systems are being developed to treat posterior segment diseases. Here, we discuss the recent advancement in ocular delivery systems, including-sustained release formulations, IVT implants, and preclinical topical formulations, and the challenges faced in their clinical translation.