Susvimo, an FDA-approved eye implant, is one of the latest treatments available for diabetic macular edema (DME). The implant contains ranibizumab, a drug that was previously given as a monthly eye injection for this condition. Patients can return to their eye care provider twice a year for refills, extending the time between office visits compared to standard monthly treatment.
Susvimo is surgically placed in the eye and includes a small reservoir that continuously delivers ranibizumab over time.
What Is Diabetic Macular Edema?
Diabetic macular edema is a diabetes-related eye condition that can cause vision loss. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the retina—the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
This damage triggers the release of too much vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that makes blood vessels leaky. Fluid then builds up in the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision, leading to swelling.
If left untreated, DME can cause permanent vision loss. An estimated 5.5% of people with diabetes develop DME.
How Is It Usually Treated?
A common treatment for DME is anti-VEGF therapy, which involves injections into the eye. Susvimo is an anti-VEGF inhibitor that blocks the growth of abnormal new blood vessels and helps reduce leaking in existing blood vessels.
Typically, patients have to receive monthly injections at a clinic. But in the last few years, some patients have been able to go several months between VEGF injections, said Jay Chhablani, MD, a professor of ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
It's reasonable to ask your doctor whether you can safely reduce the frequency of the treatments or switch to longer-acting treatments like Susvimo.
“Treatment for DME is very dependent on the patient and the severity of the disease, which is why it’s so important that we have several options and several more are in clinical trials,” said Chhablani.
For example, he said, some patients may benefit from a drug called Vabysmo, which blocks both VEGF and Ang-2 to treat DME.
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What Are the Risks of DME Treatment?
All treatments for DME carry some risks, which your healthcare provider should review with you, said Lisa Schocket, MD, chair of ophthalmology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
For example, eye implant procedures can cause pain or infection. Corticosteroid treatments may raise eye pressure or increase the risk of cataracts. Doctors can often manage these side effects, but patients should understand the potential risks before starting treatment.
When choosing a DME treatment, it’s also important to consider time commitments.
“Monthly injections require time off from work, as well as the cost and time of transportation,” Schocket told Verywell. Patients should ask whether a longer-lasting option could work for them now, or whether it might be appropriate if their condition stabilizes.
Clinical trials have shown that Susvimo is as effective as monthly ranibizumab injections. After 60 weeks, patients who received the Susvimo implant maintained similar vision outcomes to those receiving monthly injections. On average, participants in both groups were able to read about two additional lines on an eye chart.
For people with diabetes, preventing vision loss also requires managing the underlying condition. That includes keeping blood sugar levels in a healthy range through diet, medication, and regular medical care, as well as controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol, Schocket said.
She also emphasized the importance of routine eye exams.
“Diabetes comes with a risk of vision impairment and loss, and if we catch problems early, we can treat them and potentially save some or all of a patient’s vision,” Schocket said. “That’s why I’m constantly urging any patient with diabetes to keep up with their eye appointments."
