Yutiq is a sustained-release fluocinolone acetonide implant used to treat chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the back of the eye. Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye that, when it keeps coming back, can damage the retina and steal sight. The Yutiq implant is a tiny rod — smaller than a grain of rice — that is injected into the vitreous gel, where it slowly releases a low dose of steroid continuously for up to three years. This keeps the inflammation under control and dramatically reduces flare-ups, sparing patients repeated steroid injections or long-term tablets. At our partner clinics in South England, the fluocinolone implant procedure costs from £5,800 per eye, all-inclusive. In the UK the licensed fluocinolone acetonide implant for this use is ILUVIEN, the equivalent of Yutiq, and your consultant will confirm which device is used.
What is the Yutiq / fluocinolone implant?
Non-infectious uveitis is driven by the immune system rather than an infection, and chronic forms tend to relapse repeatedly. Each flare can cause swelling of the central retina (macular oedema), scarring and lasting vision loss. The traditional treatments — steroid eye injections that wear off after a few months, or steroid tablets and immune-suppressing drugs — either need frequent repeating or carry whole-body side effects.
A fluocinolone acetonide implant takes a different approach: it delivers a tiny, steady dose of steroid directly where it is needed, inside the eye, for around three years from a single injection. Because the dose is low and local, it controls inflammation while limiting the systemic side effects of oral steroids. It is particularly useful for patients whose uveitis keeps returning despite other treatment.
Who is the fluocinolone implant for?
- Chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior (back) segment of the eye
- Patients whose uveitis keeps flaring despite drops, injections or tablets
- People who want to reduce reliance on systemic steroids and their side effects
- Those troubled by recurrent macular oedema from inflammation
- Patients seeking long-lasting, in-eye control from a single procedure
The implant is only for non-infectious uveitis — active infection must be excluded first. Your consultant will assess the cause and pattern of your uveitis before recommending it, as steroids can raise eye pressure and accelerate cataract in some patients.
Is your uveitis flaring again and again? A uveitis assessment with OCT imaging confirms whether a long-acting fluocinolone implant could give you lasting control.
Book a uveitis assessmentUveitis treatment & pricing options
Your surgeon will recommend the approach best suited to how often your uveitis flares and how it has responded to previous treatment. The options below are guide self-pay prices.
Where inflammation has caused retinal swelling, your consultant may also discuss intravitreal injection treatment and ongoing macular monitoring. Compare every option on our prices hub and treatments hub.
What happens during the procedure
The fluocinolone implant is given as a quick intravitreal injection in the clinic, under local anaesthetic drops. The whole appointment takes a few minutes of treatment time and you go home the same day.
- Anaesthetic and antiseptic drops are applied and the eye is cleaned with sterile solution.
- A small lid holder keeps the eye gently open and the injection site is marked.
- The implant is delivered through a fine pre-loaded applicator needle into the vitreous gel — felt as brief pressure rather than pain.
- The implant settles into the lower vitreous and begins releasing steroid steadily.
- Your eye pressure and vision are checked before you leave.
Recovery week-by-week
Recovery from an intravitreal implant is quick, but uveitis care is long-term — your consultant will monitor eye pressure and the cataract over the life of the implant.
Day of injection
Mild grittiness, a small red spot on the white of the eye and possible floaters are normal. Avoid rubbing the eye; you can usually resume light activities the same day.
Days 1–7
Any redness settles. A short course of drops may be used. Report increasing pain, light sensitivity or worsening vision promptly.
Weeks 2–6
Inflammation and macular swelling reduce as the steroid takes effect. An early review with OCT confirms the response.
Months 1–12
Regular checks of eye pressure and the lens. The implant continues to control inflammation, and many patients reduce other uveitis medication.
Up to 3 years
The implant keeps releasing steroid for up to three years. When it runs low, your consultant reviews whether a repeat implant is needed.
What's included in the price
Our fluocinolone implant pricing is all-inclusive: consultant uveitis assessment, OCT and retinal imaging, the implant and the injection procedure, eye-pressure and inflammation monitoring, and your follow-up reviews.
- Self-pay: from £5,800 per eye for the fluocinolone (Yutiq / ILUVIEN) implant; Ozurdex from £1,800 per injection.
- Insurance: uveitis treatment is covered by many insurers where it is clinically indicated — we help with authorisation.
- Finance: 0% finance options are available to spread the cost.