An update on the port delivery system with ranibizumab for retinal diseases.

INTRODUCTION

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and diabetic macular edema (DME) are among the leading causes of irreversible vision loss globally. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapeutics have revolutionized the treatment and management of retinal vascular diseases. Management of these retinal diseases is highly individualized, with treatment intervals ranging from 4 to 16 weeks. The port-delivery system (PDS) with ranibizumab is a refillable implant that has demonstrated safety and efficacy while also improving treatment burden by decreasing the need for frequent injections.

AREAS COVERED: Multiple FDA-approved therapeutics are available to physicians for treating and managing retinal diseases. The ultimate goal is to achieve optimal visual and anatomic outcomes while also ensuring individualized treatment. A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, and pharmaceutical companies' websites from 2005 to December 2025 to review clinical data, highlight the utility of the PDS, and detail the improved structure following the voluntary class III recall.

EXPERT OPINION: The PDS provides a medium to maintain treatment of retinal vascular disease over an extended period of time. Although physicians may feel hesitant to implant the device, refinements in surgical technique and the refill-exchange procedure, along with improvements to the device, may encourage more clinical uptake of PDS in appropriate patients.