Intraocular pressure control of a novel glaucoma drainage device - and studies.

AIM

To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) control of an artificial trabeculum drainage system (ATDS), a newly designed glaucoma drainage device, and postoperative complications in normal rabbit eyes.

METHODS

Pressure drops in air and fluid of 30 ATDS were measured after being connected to a closed manometric system. Twenty of them were then chosen and implanted randomly into the eyes of 20 rabbits. Postoperative slit-lamp, gonioscopic examination and IOP measurements were recorded periodically. Ultrasound biomicroscopy and B-scan ultrasonography were also used to observe the complications. Eyes were enucleated on day 60.

RESULTS

Pressure drops of 4.6-9.4 mm Hg were obtained at physiological aqueous flow rates in the tests The average postoperative IOP of the experimental eyes (11.6-12.8 mm Hg) was lower than the controls significantly (<0.05) at each time point. Complications of hemorrhage (=1), cellulosic exudation (two cases) and local iris congestion (two cases) were observed. The lumina of the devices were devoid of obstructions in all specimens examined and a thin fibrous capsule was found around the endplate.

CONCLUSION

ATDS reduce IOP effectively. However, further studies on the structure are needed to reduce complications.