Glaucoma filtration surgery in rabbits using bioerodible polymers and 5-fluorouracil.

A prospective, randomized, double-masked, and placebo-controlled study was performed to examine the effect of a localized and sustained delivery of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the success of glaucoma filtration surgery in 18 rabbits. A bioerodible polyanhydride composed of bis (p-carboxyphenoxy) hexane (PCPH) and sebacic acid (SA) was used as the drug carrier. The polymer and 5-FU (10% by weight) were molded into 4-mm long cylinders by a 15-gauge needle. These implants, with and without the therapeutic agent, were placed at the site of filtration surgery intraoperatively. The results showed that intraocular pressures (IOPs) were lower in the experimental eyes during the second postoperative week, but eventually both experimental and control eyes returned to preoperative levels. Filtration blebs lasted longer in experimental eyes and bleb failure occurred before IOP failure in both experimental and control eyes. Implant disappearance occurred after IOP and bleb failure. Experimental eyes had more postoperative complications than control eyes. Eventually, the filtration surgery failed in both the experimental and control rabbit eyes.