Abstract
Purpose :
To investigate the surgical feasibility of implanting a newly developed suprachoroidal–transretinal stimulation (STS) prosthesis in healthy dogs.
Methods :
Four healthy dogs were used in this study. The STS prosthesis consisted of 49 electrodes. The array was implanted into a scleral pocket of each of four healthy beagle dogs under systemic anesthesia. Color fundus photography and fluorescein angiography (FA) were performed pre and postoperatively until 3-6 months. The animals were euthanatized after the experimental period and the retinas were evaluated histologically.
Results :
All the prostheses were successfully implanted without complications, and no serious complications occurred during the experimental period. The fixation of the implant was stable throughout the experimental period. Fundus photographs and FAs revealed no serious damage in the retina and choroid around the array.
Histologic evaluations showed good preservation of the retina over the electrode array.
Conclusions :
Implantation of a newly developed array STS retinal prosthesis into a scleral pocket of dogs is surgically feasible and can be performed without significant damage to the retina or the dog. The implanted STS prosthesis was biocompatible and remained stable for the experimental period. Further investigation is needed to rule out any influence of chronic electrical stimulation provided by this STS system on its biocompatibility and stability for a longer term follow-up.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.