Prices · Wet AMD · Port Delivery System · Updated May 2026
Private Susvimo port delivery wet AMD implant cost, UK 2026
Susvimo (ranibizumab injection, 100 mg/mL, Genentech/Roche) is a small refillable ocular implant that a consultant vitreoretinal surgeon inserts through the sclera in pars plana. It contains a passive-diffusion reservoir that delivers ranibizumab continuously over approximately 6 months, after which it is refilled in a sterile in-clinic exchange. The aim is to replace monthly intravitreal anti-VEGF injections with two refills a year while protecting vision in neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration.
After a 2022 voluntary withdrawal related to septum dislodgement, Susvimo was reintroduced in the United States in mid-2024 with a redesigned septum and revised refill needle. UK availability in 2026 is still emerging and remains primarily a private and specialist-tertiary option, with implantation by consultant vitreoretinal surgeons in CQC-registered theatres. This page sets out transparent UK 2026 self-pay pricing for the implant insertion, the 6-monthly refill exchange and ongoing yearly cost, and how Susvimo compares with faricimab (Vabysmo), aflibercept 8 mg (Eylea HD) and the axitinib intravitreal implant (Axpaxli).
Fast answer: private Susvimo PDS cost in the UK in 2026
Implant insertion (per eye)
GBP 11,000-16,000 self-pay, all-inclusive of consultant, theatre, device and initial drug load.
Refill exchange (per visit)
GBP 3,500-5,500 every 6 months in a sterile clean clinic room.
Annual cost after Year 1
GBP 7,000-11,000 per eye per year for two scheduled refill exchanges and review.
Injection burden
Two clinic visits a year instead of monthly intravitreal injections.
What is the Susvimo port delivery system?
The Susvimo port delivery system (PDS) is a 1.4 mL refillable titanium-and-silicone implant approximately the size of a grain of rice. A consultant vitreoretinal surgeon implants it under conjunctiva at the pars plana, where it sits flush with the sclera and is invisible beneath the upper eyelid. A passive-diffusion membrane at the intravitreal end releases ranibizumab continuously into the vitreous cavity over approximately six months. Refill exchange is performed in a sterile clinic room: the old residual drug is aspirated and a fresh dose of ranibizumab is injected through a self-sealing septum without removing the implant.
The current Susvimo implant uses a redesigned septum and a dedicated refill needle introduced after the 2022 voluntary market action that identified septum dislodgement and endophthalmitis cases with the original device. Genentech (Roche) reintroduced the redesigned implant in the United States in mid-2024 and global rollout is ongoing; UK availability in 2026 is still emerging and remains primarily a consultant-led private and specialist-tertiary pathway. See our wet AMD condition page for the underlying disease background and our wet AMD treatments hub for the full UK private pathway.
UK 2026 private Susvimo cost per eye
Our self-pay package is fully inclusive of the consultant vitreoretinal surgeon, anaesthetist, theatre or clean-room fees, the Susvimo implant and ranibizumab drug load, and structured review. There are no hidden top-ups for OCT, OCT-angiography or routine slit-lamp examination.
| Component | UK 2026 self-pay (per eye) |
|---|---|
| Implant insertion, primary case (device, drug load, theatre, surgeon, follow-up to month 3) | GBP 11,000 - 16,000 |
| Scheduled refill exchange (every 6 months) | GBP 3,500 - 5,500 |
| Supplementary intravitreal ranibizumab between refills (if needed) | GBP 900 - 1,400 |
| Ongoing yearly cost after Year 1 (two refill exchanges plus annual review) | GBP 7,000 - 11,000 |
| Implant explant or revision for complication | Quoted on case |
For wider wet AMD injection pricing see faricimab Vabysmo cost, Eylea HD 8 mg cost, the full macular degeneration price list and our main price list. Spread payments are available through finance.
What is included in your Susvimo package
Consultant vitreoretinal assessment
Full slit-lamp examination, dilated fundus examination, macular OCT, OCT-angiography and fluorescein or indocyanine green angiography where indicated, with a same-day decision on candidacy.
Treatment-burden review
An honest count of your prior intravitreal injection burden over the last 12-24 months, including dry and wet intervals, to confirm that Susvimo will reduce visits rather than add complexity.
Implant device and theatre
Susvimo implant device, initial 100 mg/mL ranibizumab drug load, sterile theatre, consultant vitreoretinal surgeon, dedicated retinal scrub team and named anaesthetist.
Postoperative medication
Topical antibiotic and steroid drops, a written drop schedule, named pharmacy supply for the first 4 weeks and a dedicated clinic contact number.
Structured follow-up
Reviews on day 1, week 1, weeks 4 and 12 after implantation, then 6-monthly refill exchange visits with OCT and visual acuity at each visit.
Direct surgeon access
A named consultant vitreoretinal surgeon, direct mobile contact for the first 6 weeks, and rapid same-day review for any pain, redness, vision change or floaters.
What does the evidence say about Susvimo PDS?
The Phase 3 Archway trial (Ophthalmology 2022) randomised 418 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration who had responded to intravitreal ranibizumab. Susvimo refilled every 6 months was non-inferior to monthly 0.5 mg intravitreal ranibizumab on best-corrected visual acuity at week 36 and week 40. Approximately 98 percent of Susvimo patients did not require supplementary injections in the first 6-month interval. The Phase 3b Portal long-term extension reported sustained visual outcomes through year 3 with the redesigned implant and refill needle. Pagoda (diabetic macular oedema) and Pavilion (diabetic retinopathy) trials are reported separately and do not yet inform a UK 2026 routine indication.
The 2022 voluntary market action followed an excess of septum dislodgement and endophthalmitis with the original implant. The redesigned implant and refill needle introduced in 2024 have so far reduced reported event rates in post-marketing surveillance, but real-world UK data remain limited and patient consent should reflect the early-adopter nature of the device in 2026.
Susvimo vs other wet AMD treatment options
| Option | Mechanism | Typical clinic visits per year | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susvimo PDS | Refillable scleral implant, continuous ranibizumab | 2 scheduled refills | Stable wet AMD already controlled on ranibizumab, high injection burden |
| Monthly anti-VEGF injections | Intravitreal ranibizumab, aflibercept or bevacizumab | 8-12 injections | New diagnosis loading phase, active disease |
| Faricimab (Vabysmo) treat-and-extend — see cost | Dual VEGF-A and Ang-2 inhibition | 4-7 injections | Stable disease seeking extended intervals |
| Aflibercept 8 mg (Eylea HD) — see cost | High-dose VEGF-A blockade | 3-6 injections | Stable disease, longer dosing interval |
| Axpaxli axitinib sustained release | Bioerodible TKI intravitreal implant | 1-2 implant cycles | Patients seeking a non-VEGF refill-free option |
For a wider plain-English comparison see our wet AMD vs dry AMD treatment options UK 2026 guide.
Are you a candidate for Susvimo?
Good candidates
- Confirmed wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration already responding well to intravitreal ranibizumab.
- High treatment burden — 6 or more anti-VEGF injections per year — with travel, work or carer constraints.
- Stable choroidal neovascular membrane on OCT and OCT-angiography over the prior 3 months.
- Healthy pars plana and conjunctiva, no active blepharitis or ocular surface infection.
- Able and willing to attend predictable 6-monthly refill exchange visits long term.
Better suited to other options
- Newly diagnosed wet AMD still in the loading phase — complete induction with monthly intravitreal anti-VEGF first.
- Disease that responds better to a non-ranibizumab agent — consider faricimab Vabysmo or aflibercept 8 mg.
- Geographic atrophy (advanced dry AMD) — see Syfovre or Izervay.
- Significant peripheral retinal pathology where implant placement at the pars plana is unsafe.
NHS vs private Susvimo in the UK
Susvimo is not yet routinely commissioned on the NHS in 2026. NHS wet AMD care follows National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance with intravitreal ranibizumab, aflibercept and faricimab on treat-and-extend regimens, with waiting times for diagnostic and follow-up clinics that vary by region. Going private brings consultant vitreoretinal assessment within a week, predictable scheduled refill visits twice a year, named consultant continuity and a single transparent self-pay quote covering device, drug and theatre. See macular degeneration prices for the wider AMD price list.
Insurance and funding
Private medical insurer cover for Susvimo in the UK in 2026 is highly variable and most policies treat it as an off-formulary or specialist-medicines item subject to individual pre-authorisation, clinical justification and benefit caps. We provide the CCSD-coded fee quote, the medical justification letter and operative report your insurer will require. Many patients fund Susvimo on a self-pay basis or combine self-pay implantation with insured refill exchanges. See insured patients for the end-to-end process, or finance for spread payments.
Risks and limitations of Susvimo
Susvimo implantation and refill exchange carry a defined risk profile. Reported adverse events include conjunctival bleb or wound dehiscence, vitreous haemorrhage at insertion or refill, septum dislodgement (markedly less common with the redesigned 2024 septum), endophthalmitis (a serious bacterial infection inside the eye), retinal detachment, cataract progression, intraocular pressure spike, exposed implant requiring conjunctival revision, and rare need for implant explantation. The implant must be refilled every approximately 6 months for the rest of the treatment course; if a refill is missed the eye is exposed to a return of disease activity. Your consultant will discuss your individual numerical risks in writing during consent.
Recovery timeline after Susvimo implantation
First 24-48 hours
Eye shield overnight, mild gritty discomfort, expected redness over the implant site. Topical antibiotic and steroid begun. Day-1 review with the consultant.
Week 1
Topical antibiotic for 7-10 days, intensive steroid taper over 4 weeks, avoid swimming, rubbing and heavy lifting. Most office workers return to work within a week.
Weeks 4-12
Macular OCT confirms a dry retina under steady-state ranibizumab release. Any persistent fluid is treated with a single supplementary intravitreal ranibizumab injection.
Every 6 months
Scheduled refill exchange in a sterile clinic room with topical anaesthesia, plus OCT and best-corrected visual acuity at every refill visit.
How to choose a UK Susvimo clinic
- Choose a named CCT-holding consultant vitreoretinal surgeon with a high-volume intravitreal injection and pars plana vitrectomy practice and formal Susvimo implantation training.
- Ask for the unit's audited refill schedule adherence, endophthalmitis rate per injection and revision rate.
- Confirm that the package covers the implant, drug load, theatre, anaesthetist and follow-up to month 3 without hidden extras.
- Confirm the in-clinic refill exchange environment meets the manufacturer's clean-room standard and that refill needles are the current redesigned product.
- Confirm a same-day pathway for any pain, redness, vision change or floaters between visits.
- Check the clinic's Care Quality Commission rating and the consultant's General Medical Council specialist registration.
For the wider pathway see what to expect at your consultation, the full macular degeneration treatments hub and our retinal vein occlusion injection pathway for related anti-VEGF practice.
Susvimo PDS frequently asked questions
How much does private Susvimo cost in the UK in 2026?
Self-pay Susvimo implant insertion in the UK in 2026 is typically GBP 11,000-16,000 per eye, fully inclusive of consultant, theatre, implant device, ranibizumab drug load and follow-up to month 3. Each scheduled 6-monthly refill exchange is GBP 3,500-5,500, giving an ongoing yearly cost of approximately GBP 7,000-11,000 per eye after Year 1.
Does Susvimo cure wet AMD?
No treatment cures wet age-related macular degeneration. Susvimo delivers continuous ranibizumab to suppress choroidal neovascular activity and protect existing vision; it does not restore vision lost before treatment and does not stop the underlying drusen and pigment changes of macular degeneration.
Is Susvimo available in the UK in 2026?
UK availability of the redesigned Susvimo implant in 2026 is still emerging. It is not yet routinely commissioned on the NHS and is provided primarily in consultant-led private and specialist-tertiary pathways. We offer Susvimo only when the redesigned implant and refill needle are reliably available and only to patients in whom it is clinically appropriate.
Is the implant visible or noticeable?
The implant sits flush with the sclera beneath the upper eyelid and is not normally visible from the outside. Some patients see a faint elevation when the lid is everted at the slit-lamp.
Does Susvimo really replace monthly injections?
For carefully selected patients with stable wet AMD already responding to ranibizumab, Phase 3 Archway and Portal data show that 95-98 percent do not need supplementary intravitreal injections during the 6-month refill interval. A minority do need an occasional top-up.
What happens during a refill exchange?
In a sterile clinic room under topical anaesthesia the consultant aspirates residual fluid from the implant and injects a fresh dose of ranibizumab through the self-sealing septum using the dedicated refill needle. The visit takes about 15-20 minutes including check OCT and visual acuity.
What is the risk of endophthalmitis?
Endophthalmitis is a rare but serious bacterial infection inside the eye. The original Susvimo implant was associated with a higher than expected endophthalmitis rate driving the 2022 voluntary withdrawal. The redesigned 2024 septum and refill needle have so far reduced reported event rates in post-marketing surveillance, but real-world UK data remain limited and patients should consent on this basis.
Can the implant be removed?
Yes. The Susvimo implant can be electively explanted in theatre if a patient wishes to stop treatment, if there is a complication such as exposure, persistent vitreous haemorrhage or chronic inflammation, or if an alternative therapy is preferred.
Can both eyes be implanted?
In principle yes, where both eyes have bilateral wet AMD already controlled on ranibizumab. The second eye is implanted at a separate sitting at least 2-4 weeks after the first so that the first-eye healing, pressure and OCT response can be reviewed.
How does Susvimo compare with faricimab (Vabysmo)?
Faricimab (Vabysmo) is an intravitreal injection given on a treat-and-extend basis, typically every 8-16 weeks, dosing dual VEGF-A and Ang-2. Susvimo delivers continuous ranibizumab and is refilled in clinic every 6 months. Faricimab usually means 4-7 injection visits a year; Susvimo means two scheduled refill visits.
How does Susvimo compare with Eylea HD?
Aflibercept 8 mg (Eylea HD) is an intravitreal injection with a longer interval than standard 2 mg aflibercept, typically every 12-16 weeks. Susvimo bypasses repeat intravitreal injections altogether in favour of a refillable scleral implant. The choice depends on disease activity, prior response, patient preference and tolerance of an indwelling device.
How does Susvimo compare with Axpaxli axitinib?
Axpaxli is a bioerodible intravitreal implant releasing the tyrosine kinase inhibitor axitinib. It is non-refillable and dissolves over its dosing interval. Susvimo is a non-erodible refillable implant releasing ranibizumab. The two represent fundamentally different mechanisms and patient suitability is decided case by case.
Is Susvimo covered by private medical insurance?
Private medical insurer cover for Susvimo in the UK in 2026 is highly variable and most policies treat it as an off-formulary specialist-medicines item with individual pre-authorisation, clinical justification and benefit caps. Many patients self-pay the implantation and combine it with insured refill exchanges.
Methodology and sources
Pricing is taken from the eyesurgeryclinic.co.uk 2026 published self-pay tariff for vitreoretinal and macular procedures as audited in May 2026. Clinical statements draw on the Susvimo prescribing information (Genentech, 2024 redesigned device), the Phase 3 Archway primary publication (Holekamp et al., Ophthalmology 2022), the Phase 3b Portal long-term extension presented at AAO and ASRS through 2024-2026, post-marketing surveillance following the 2022 voluntary market action and 2024 reintroduction, EMA and MHRA assessment documents available at the time of writing, and Royal College of Ophthalmologists and Macular Society UK position statements. Page last reviewed 25 May 2026 against the live URL set on eyesurgeryclinic.co.uk.
Book a consultant wet AMD assessment
Find out whether the Susvimo port delivery system is right for your wet age-related macular degeneration with a same-week consultant vitreoretinal appointment, macular OCT, OCT-angiography and a transparent UK 2026 quote.
Or call 0800 852 7782.
Back to Prices