Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate biocompatibility of a lamina cribrosa implant in rabbit and pig eyes. Lamina cribrosa puncture is a procedure that has being described in the treatment of central retinal vein occlusion. A permanent implant at the level or adjacent to the lamina cribrosa has too potential applications, as a shunt between vitreous cavity and subarachnoid space or into the orbit and the other one as a drug delivery system for the optic nerve and macula.
Methods: :
A medical grade metallic cannula was inserted in four rabbit eyes and in four pig eyes after pars plana vitrectomy in the optic nerve perforating lamina cribrosa. Clinical examination and histopathology were used to evaluate structures of optic nerve at one, four and seven months posterior to the implantation.
Results: :
In two rabbit eyes fibrotic tissue covered the proximal part of the cannula and some debrides in the lumen were observed in all of them. Histopathology, light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed minimal nerve fiber layer disruption.
Conclusions: :
A metallic medical grade lamina cribrosa cannula produced a minimal local fibrotic reaction with preservation of optic nerve fibers. Drug release by the cannula may prevent fibrotic reaction and could be used as a drug delivery system.
Keywords: retinal neovascularization • retina • retinal culture