Abstract:
To assess the biocompatibility and connectivity of an encapsulated artificial retina.
We performed a case and control biocompatibility study. To such effect, we encapsulated a CCD camera component inside a hollow and medical grade polymethyl–methacrilate (PMMA) sphere. An open sky vitrectomy was performed with retina preservation on the right eye (case) of a New Zealand rabbit (we carefully followed ARVO rules for experimental animal models). At which time we implanted the PMMA sphere. The left eye was preserved for control. Flicker electroretinogram (ERG) was performed to measure the retinal function in both eyes at regular intervals for six months. Ultrabiomicroscopy and orbital CT scan were performed to measure the cilliary body preservation and implant position respectably.
The retinal function was preserved for the three months immediate to the implant. Afterwards it decayed presenting atrophia bulbi; at the six months benchmark the eye is completely atrophied (see implicit frequency response graph). The UBM showed cilliary body morphological changes.
Although very effective in the short run, an external body attached directly to the retina causes total atrophy of the eye after a medium period of time. It is necessary to find a new contact model that does not cause cilliary and retinal atrophy.
Keywords: retinal connections, networks, circuitry • retinal development • retinal degenerations: hereditary