Pilot Study of a Fluocinolone Acetonide Intravitreal Insert (FA-i) to Treat Intermediate-, Posterior-, or Panuveitis

The purpose of this study is to determine the tolerability, safety, and benefits of an investigational drug,Fluocinolone Acetonide Intravitreal Insert (FA-i), in people who have posterior uveitis. The study drug, Fluocinolone Acetonide, is currently used in a surgical implant, Retisert, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat non-infectious posterior uveitis . The study drug is able to be inserted in an ophthalmology (eye) clinic; whereas Retisert must be surgically implanted in the Operating Room. Initially, this was a 2-dose randomized pilot study. However, the study was modified to include only the 0.2 ug/day implant.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. At least 18 years old at time of consent.
2. One or both eyes with a minimum of 1 year history of recurrent non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment requiring either a) systemic corticosteroid or other equivalent non-steroidal immunosuppressive agent given for at least 3 months prior to enrollment OR at least 2 sub-Tenon's injections of corticosteroid for management of uveitis during 6 months prior to enrollment OR at least 2 separate recurrences of uveitis within 6 months prior to enrollment requiring systemic, intravitreal or sub-Tenon's injection of corticosteroid OR recurrence of uveitis after having received an intravitreal steroid implant (Ozurdex or Retisert) OR unable to tolerate the side effects of therapy with systemic corticosteroid or other equivalent non-steroidal immunosuppressive agent OR recurrence of uveitis after having received an FAi (Fluocinolone Acetonide intravitreal insert).
3. Negative serum pregnancy test at baseline for women of childbearing potential.
4. An informed consent document signed and dated by the subject or a legally acceptable representative.
5. Subjects who are willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plan, laboratory tests, and other study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects presenting with any of the following will not be included in the study:

1. History of glaucoma in the study eye
2. Allergy to corticosteroids of any component of delivery system
3. History of iridocyclitis only and no vitreous cells or vitreous haze in the study eye
4. Uveitis with infectious etiology in the study eye
5. Vitreous hemorrhage in the study eye
6. Toxoplasmosis scar in study eye
7. Media opacity precluding evaluation of retina and vitreous in the study eye
8. Peripheral retinal detachment in area of insertion in the study eye
9. Elevated Intraocular pressure (IOP) \>21 on no more than 1 anti-ocular hypertensive medication in the study eye
10. History of elevated IOP (Intraocular Pressure)(above 22 mmHg) in the study eye while on corticosteroids unless the subject has previously undergone filtration surgery (tube shunt or trabeculectomy) following the episode of steroid-associated ocular hypertension. In the latter case, the subject will be eligible for enrollment, provided that the intraocular pressure is controlled at \< 21 mmHg on no more than one anti-ocular hypertensive medication.
11. Ocular surgery in the study eye within 3 months prior to enrollment requiring chronic systemic therapy
12. Systemic immunosuppressive therapy to manage non-ocular disease
13. Patients who have tested positive for human immune deficiency virus
14. Pregnant females
15. Patients for whom any of the protocol procedures may pose a special risk not outweighed by the potential benefits of participating in the study
16. Patients who are unlikely to comply with the study protocol
17. Any severe acute or chronic medical or psychiatric condition that could increase the risk associated with study participation or could interfere with the interpretation of study results and, in the judgment of the investigator, could make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study.
18. Treatment with an investigational drug or device in the study eye within 30 days preceding the device placement.
19. Females of childbearing potential who are unwilling or unable to use an acceptable method of contraception as outlined in this protocol from at least 14 days prior to the first dose of study medication and throughout the study.

    -