A scleral shield for the application of mitomycin C during trabeculectomy: a rabbit model.

The use of mitomycin C during trabeculectomy is associated with a significant degree of persistent hypotony. To address this problem, we designed a scleral shield with a dry sponge glued on it for use in applying mitomycin C that reduces the penetration of the substance through the sclera. The effectiveness of the shield was tested in a rabbit model using regular sponges and sponges with the attached shield. Histopathologic examination of the eyes after 1 month revealed toxic changes in the eyes in which only a regular sponge had been used, but not in those in which the sponges with the attached scleral shield had been used. The scleral shield may help reduce the incidence of hypotony in eyes undergoing trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin C.