Iluvien for diabetic macular edema, a long-term treatment
Iluvien for diabetic macular edema, a long-term treatment
Iluvien® for diabetic macular edema. The Macula Center is one of the first to use this new breakthrough treatment for diabetic macular edema
The Macula Center has expanded the array of leading-edge treatments available to diabetic patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) with the addition of ILUVIEN® to its therapeutic arsenal.
Founded in 2003 by Dana M. Deupree, MD, FACS, The Macula Center is one of the first practices in Florida and one of a very few nationwide to offer these state-of-the art treatments.
“Excellence in ophthalmic care is our sole focus, whether that means investing in industry-changing instruments and state-of-the-art retinal imaging equipment and laser systems or practicing the latest surgical techniques and therapies,” said Dr. Deupree, a board-certified ophthalmologist and retina specialist. “Adding the ILUVIEN treatment is a natural extension of that dedication to excellence and allows us to give new hope to our diabetic patients.”
Dr. Deupree was invited by Alimera Sciences, Inc. to be among the first ophthalmologists in Florida and one of just a handful in the country to treat a DME patient with ILUVIEN (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant). The primary cause of vision loss associated with diabetic retinopathy, DME is a disease that affects the macula—the part of the retina responsible for central vision. Its onset is painless and may go undetected until it manifests with blurring of central vision or acute vision loss.
“I have seen definite improvement since I had the ILUVIEN treatment.”
ILUVIEN is approved in the U.S. for DME patients who have been previously treated with a course of corticosteroids which did not result in a clinically significant rise in intraocular pressure. It is an implant that provides long-term relief from macular swelling by releasing very small levels of medication (fluocinolone acetonide) into the eye over a period of 36 months.
It is a life-altering breakthrough for patients like Tom, whose DME is not responding to other treatments. “I had been at a standstill with other treatments until I read about the ILUVIEN treatment procedure,” he said. “I have seen definite improvement since I had the ILUVIEN treatment.”
“Retinal diseases associated with diabetes seriously impact patients’ quality of life, often taking away the freedoms associated with such basic daily activities as driving. Exacerbating their struggle is the limited access to effective long-term treatments,” said Dr. Deupree. “ILUVIEN holds great promise for returning to these individuals control over their lives by restoring their vision with minimal intervention and discomfort.”
Founded by Dana M. Deupree, MD, FACS, in Clearwater, Fla., The Macula Center is an ophthalmology practice specializing in retina problems including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, macula pucker, retinal detachment and all other forms of vitreous and retinal disease.
