title: Intravitreal steroids for the treatment of retinal diseases.
abstract: Diabetic macular edema (DME), pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (CME), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vascular occlusion (RVO), and uveitis are ocular conditions related to severe visual impairment worldwide. Corticosteroids have been widely used in the treatment of these retinal diseases, due to their well-known antiangiogenic, antiedematous, and anti-inflammatory properties. Intravitreal steroids have emerged as novel and essential tools in the ophthalmologist's armamentarium, allowing for maximization of drug efficacy and limited risk of systemic side effects. Recent advances in ocular drug delivery methods led to the development of intraocular implants, which help to provide prolonged treatment with controlled drug release. Moreover, they may add some potential advantages over traditional intraocular injections by delivering certain rates of drug directly to the site of action, amplifying the drug's half-life, contributing in the minimization of peak plasma levels of the drug, and avoiding the side effects associated with repeated intravitreal injections. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the use of intravitreal steroids as a treatment option for a variety of retinal diseases and to review the current literature considering their properties, safety, and adverse events.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Udine, Piazza Santa Maria della Misericordia, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors: Valentina
authors: 0000-0003-0041-5073
authors: V
authors: Sarao
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Udine, Piazza Santa Maria della Misericordia, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors: Daniele
authors: D
authors: Veritti
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sassari, Piazza D'Armi, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Boscia
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Udine, Piazza Santa Maria della Misericordia, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors: Paolo
authors: 0000-0003-3746-141X
authors: P
authors: Lanzetta
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones