AARP The Magazine had some amazing stories in its October/November 22 issue regarding innovations in health care. One new device on the market are eye implants for age-related Macular Degeneration which would avoid the need for regular injections right into the eye. The Susvimo eye implants, on the other hand, release a steady dose of the anti-VDGF drug ranibizumab (Lucentis). They are about the size of a grain of rice and they are implanted under the eyelid where it can’t be seen and won’t impair vision. The FDA approved the device in October of 2021 and research has shown that it works as well as monthly injections, although it has a higher rate of side effects including redness, pain and light sensitivity.
