Novel Drug Delivery Methods and Treatment Approaches for Retinal Diseases

A panelist discusses novel treatments for retinal vascular diseases, including faricimab, aflibercept, and port delivery system with ranibizumab.

Panelists discuss how the port delivery system (PDS) with ranibizumab represents a paradigm shift in neovascular AMD treatment by utilizing a surgically implanted refillable device that provides continuous medication delivery for 6 months, offering patients a preferred alternative to frequent intravitreal injections while ensuring consistent therapeutic levels.

Panelists discuss how patients experiencing a high treatment burden with frequent anti-VEGF injections every 4-8 weeks are optimal candidates for the port delivery system, which can help reduce their number of clinic visits while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.

Panelists discuss how successful implementation of the port delivery system requires careful attention to surgical technique during both initial implantation and subsequent refill procedures, with specialized training and protocols that differ significantly from standard intravitreal injections in terms of procedural steps, sterility requirements, and patient preparation.

Dr Jordan Graff highlights key steps in implanting the port delivery system, emphasizing incision and closure techniques with video clips.

Panelists discuss how the Port Delivery System (PDS) presents important considerations around adverse effects, patient selection criteria, and adoption challenges including surgical requirements and cost-benefit analyses that must be carefully weighed when integrating this technology into retinal practice.

Panelists discuss how careful patient selection and management of potential complications - including surgical risks, device-related adverse events, and cost-benefit considerations requiring operating room resources - are crucial factors in successfully implementing the port delivery system in clinical practice.

Panelists discuss how novel intravitreal agents faricimab and high-dose aflibercept 8mg offer potential advantages in treating retinal diseases through their extended durability and dual mechanism of action.