Biodegradable tube implants in experimental glaucoma surgery in the rabbit.

Although ocular drainage implants are manufactured from biocombatible materials to reduce foreign-body reaction, the formation of excessive scar tissue around the implant is a common cause for implant failure. In this study, the suitability of poly(D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) copolymer, impregnated with an antiproliferative agent retinoic acid, was evaluated as a material for biodegradable tubular implants, as well as the duration and magnitude of the intraocular pressure reduction obtained with the prototype implant. Subconjunctivally placed retinoid-impregnated polymer particles caused a milder inflammatory reaction than plain polymer, and the layer of connective tissue around the material was thinner after the follow-up period of 60 d.

The effect of heparin-surface-modification on scar-tissue formation around a subconjunctival polymethylmethacrylate implant in the rabbit.

Purpose: Excessive scar tissue formation around ocular drainage implants is a common cause for implant failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of heparin-surface-modification of a subconjunctival polymethylmethacrylate implant on scar-tissue formation in the rabbit eye.

Methods: Plain and heparin-surface-modified polymethylmethacrylate implants were implanted subconjunctivally in the eyes of 13 rabbits in two groups consisting of 8 and 5 animals.

The effect of intraoperative injection of hyaluronan under a one-piece glaucoma filtration implant in the rabbit eye.

The effect of a single intraoperative injection of hyaluronan on intraocular pressure (IOP) and postsurgical tissue healing was evaluated on 18 rabbits with an aqueous drainage implant. During the follow-up period IOP was recorded and analysed. Furthermore, inflammatory reaction and appearance of the fibrous tissue around the implants were studied in histological sections.

A one-piece ocular drainage implant for glaucoma surgery: a preliminary report.

A one-piece silicone filtration implant for glaucoma surgery was evaluated in 18 normotensive rabbits. During the follow-up period of 60 days the function of the implant and the effect of the implant on intraocular pressure (IOP) and local reaction in operated eyes were examined. Mean IOP in operated eyes during the whole follow-up period stayed in a level that was statistically significantly (p < 0.

The effect of sodium-hyaluronate on scar tissue formation under a subconjunctival silicone implant in the rabbit.

The effect of sodium-hyaluronate on scar tissue formation under a subconjunctival silicone implant was examined in twenty rabbits. During the follow-up period histological sections for evaluation of local reaction and thickness of fibrous tissue were made at day 7, 17, 30 and 60. Although no statistically significant difference could be shown the thickness of scar tissue under the implant in hyaluronate injected eyes was greater than in control eyes during the first seventeen postoperative days, after which the difference started to diminish.