Spontaneous Dissociation of Fluocinolone Acetonide Sustained Release Implant (Retisert) with Dislocation into the Anterior Chamber

Purpose: To report two cases of spontaneous Retisert implant dissociation with dislocation of the medication reservoir into the anterior chamber.

Design and methods: Case reports.

Results: Two patients with chronic, noninfectious uveitis following Retisert implantation between 6 and 7 years prior presented with a complaint of a “white spot” in their right eyes. Both patients had previous pars plana vitrectomies. Anterior segment examination revealed a dislocated medication reservoir of the Retisert implant in the inferior portion of anterior chamber with associated reservoir-corneal endothelial touch and stromal edema. The reservoirs were subsequently retrieved via a pars plana approach and removed from the anterior chamber through a corneal incision.

Conclusions: Spontaneous dissociation of the Retisert implant with dislocation of the medication reservoir into the anterior chamber can be a late complication of Retisert implantation. Eye care professionals and patients should be aware of this complication, particularly with long-term intraocular retention of this device.