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ALIMERA SCIENCES APPOINTS JAMES R. LARGENT

TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ATLANTA, August 1, 2011 Alimera Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALIM) ( Alimera ), a biopharmaceutical company that

specializes in the research, development and commercialization of prescription ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, today

announced that James R. Largent has joined its Board of Directors. Mr. Largent, a consultant in the medical device and

pharmaceutical industries, brings extensive management experience to Alimera s Board.

With nearly 30 years in the medical industry, Mr. Largent most recently served as a medical and pharmaceutical

consultant, including work with U.S. ophthalmic device company, Eyeonics Inc. While there, he led the lobbying effort

that resulted in the 2005 landmark decision by the Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services (CMS) to allow for patient

shared billing for premium presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses. Also in his role as a consultant, he assisted a

multinational pharmaceutical and medical device company in the evaluation of strategic targets. Prior to this, Mr.

Largent served in various senior management positions at Allergan, Inc., including as vice president of strategic

planning where he fostered licensing deals to build product pipelines. Earlier in his career, he was vice president of

strategic marketing at Allergan Medical Optics, Inc.

It is a privilege to welcome an ophthalmic industry leader of Mr. Largent s caliber to our Board, said Dan Myers,

president and CEO of Alimera. His specific industry expertise in corporate development and strategic marketing will

help drive Alimera s commercial strategy.

In addition to serving on Alimera s Board, Mr. Largent is on the board of directors of Tear Science, Inc., a privately

held developer of diagnostic and therapeutic devices for the treatment of patients with dry eye disease. Mr. Largent

earned a B.A. in chemistry and an M.B.A., both from the University of California, Irvine.

About Alimera Sciences, Inc.

Alimera Sciences, Inc., based in Alpharetta, Georgia, is a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the research,

development and commercialization of prescription ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Presently, Alimera is focused on

diseases affecting the back of the eye, or retina. Its advanced product candidate, ILUVIEN , is an

investigational intravitreal insert containing fluocinolone acetonide (FAc), a non-proprietary corticosteroid with

demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of ocular disease. ILUVIEN is in development for the treatment of diabetic

macular edema (DME), a disease of the retina that affects individuals with diabetes and can lead to severe vision loss

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation

Reform Act of 1995, regarding, among other things, Alimera s future results of operations and financial position,

business strategy and plans and objectives of management for Alimera s future operations. Words such as anticipate,

believe, estimate, expect, intend, may, plan, contemplate, predict, project, target, likely,

potential, continue, will, would, should, could, or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are

intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying

words. The events and circumstances reflected in Alimera s forward-looking statements may not occur and actual results

could differ materially from those projected in its forward-looking statements. Meaningful factors which could cause

actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, delay in or failure to obtain regulatory approval of

Alimera s product candidates, uncertainty as to Alimera s ability to commercialize, and market acceptance of, its

product candidates, the extent of government regulations, uncertainty as to relationship between the benefits of

Alimera s product candidates and the risks of their side-effect profiles, dependence on third-party manufacturers to

manufacture Alimera s product candidates in sufficient quantities and quality, uncertainty of clinical trial results,

limited sales and marketing infrastructure, inability of Alimera s outside sales force to successfully sell and market

ILUVIEN in the U.S. following regulatory approval and Alimera s ability to operate its business in compliance with the

covenants and restrictions that it is subject to under its credit facility, as well as other factors discussed in the

Risk Factors and Management s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections of

Alimera s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the

quarter ended March 31, 2011 which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and available on

the SEC s website at www.sec.gov. In addition to the risks described above and in Alimera s Annual Report on

Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the SEC, other unknown or

unpredictable factors also could affect Alimera s results. There can be no assurance that the actual results or

developments anticipated by Alimera will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the

expected consequences to, or effects on, Alimera. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the outcomes stated in such

forward-looking statements and estimates will be achieved.

All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements

contained or referred to herein. Alimera cautions investors not to rely too heavily on the forward-looking statements

Alimera makes or that are made on its behalf. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press

release (unless another date is indicated). Alimera undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation,

to publicly update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events