Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate the effectiveness and biocompatibility of a novel Schlemm's Canal (SC) microstent, designed to improve aqueous humor outflow.
Methods :
Wistend was surgically inserted into SC of 6 New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits, and the other 12 NZW rabbits served as a surgical sham control or blank control. Three rabbits were surgically implanted with Wistend microstent into Schlemm canal (SC), three rabbits were surgically implanted with Kahook Dual Blade (KDB). The fellow eye of each rabbit underwent a sham procedure without Wistend insertion. The animals were monitored over the subsequent 6 months, using ICare® Tonovet Plus®, swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT）, slit lamp biomicroscopy, and retinal camera.
Results :
After 6 months, we found a significant difference in IOP between the Wistend group and the sham-operated group, with the Wistend group showing a decrease in IOP of 4.67 ± 0.82 mmHg from baseline, i.e., 22.2%-33.3%. Wistend implantation group decreased IOP(in mmHg) from 30.67±0.94 to 13.67±0.94 (P<0.01), and KDB operation group decreased IOP(in mmHg)from 30.67±0.94 mmHg)31.33±0.94 to 14.33±0.47(P<0.01).At 10,20, and 30 days of follow-up, there were significant differences between the Wistend group and the KDB group(P<0.01). No anterior chamber inflammatory response was observed in all groups. No significant tissue reactions such as fibrosis, neovascularisation, fatty infiltration, and inflammation were found. There were no significant corneal or scleral abnormalities.
Conclusions :
Wistend may significantly reduce IOP and safely enhance aqueous outflow. Compared with preoperative baseline values, both the Wistend implant surgery and the KDB surgery had significantly lower IOP at 6 months. The novel MIGS devices WIstend and KDB have good long-term effects on reducing IOP and there are significant differences between them at follow-up time points.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.