Persistent or Recurrent Diabetic Macular Edema after Fluocinolone Acetonide 0.19 mg Implant: risk factors and management.

•Nearly 20% of eyes receiving fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) 0.19 mg bioerodable implant (Iluvien) for diabetic macular edema (DME) experience persistent or recurrent DME in the first year after injection.•Patients with persistent or recurrent DME have significantly higher central macular thickness (CMT) at baseline and over entire follow-up.•Persistent or recurrent DME can be successfully treated with intravitreal anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents.•The number of anti-VEGF injections administered in the first year is lower and the mean interval between consecutive anti-VEGF injections is longer than reported on anti-VEGF–only regimen.•The final visual acuity at 12 months of follow-up is similar between patients who received additional anti-VEGF and those who did not receive extra treatments for persistent or recurrent DME.