Patent ID: 8003124

Claim:
A sustained release implant that is configured for placement in a subretinal area of an eye having a choroid, a retina, one or more tissue layers above the choroid, and a nerve fiber layer, the sustained release implant comprising: a central longitudinally-extending solid biocompatible core having a length and a continuous outer surface area; wherein the biocompatible core comprises a nondegradable and non-polymer material; and a biocompatible coating layer comprising a polymer matrix and a bioactive agent that is applied over at least a portion of the outer surface area of the core; wherein the implant is configured to be positioned in one or more tissue layers above the choroid but below the nerve fiber layer of the eye; wherein the core has a diameter of about 200 or less; and the implant has a total diameter of about 500 μm or less; and a length no greater than about 5 mm.