In vivo evaluation of a nanotechnology-based microshunt for filtering glaucoma surgery

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 14; no. 1; p. 4452
• Main Authors: Gniesmer, Stefanie, Sonntag, Svenja Rebecca, Gapeeva, Anna, Cojocaru, Ala, Kaps, Sören, Adelung, Rainer, Sewing, Judith, Tura, Aysegül, Grisanti, Salvatore, Grisanti, Swaantje
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 23.02.2024; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 692/308; 692/308/2778; 692/699; 692/699/3161; 692/699/3161/3172; Animals; Anterior chamber; Anterior Chamber - surgery; Composite materials; Eye surgery; Glaucoma; Glaucoma - etiology; Glaucoma - surgery; Glaucoma Drainage Implants - adverse effects; Humanities and Social Sciences; Inflammation; Intraocular Pressure; Microparticles; Microshunt; Microstent; multidisciplinary; Nanotechnology; Polydimethylsiloxane; Rabbits; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Silicones; Subconjunctival space; Surgery; Tonometry, Ocular; Zinc Oxide; Zinc oxides; ZnO-T; Microshunt; Subconjunctival space; ZnO-T; Glaucoma surgery; Microstent; Nanotechnology
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54960-7

To carry out the preclinical and histological evaluation of a novel nanotechnology-based microshunt for drainage glaucoma surgery. Twelve New Zealand White rabbits were implanted with a novel microshunt and followed up for 6 weeks. The new material composite consists of the silicone polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and tetrapodal Zinc Oxide (ZnO-T) nano-/microparticles. The microshunts were inserted ab externo to connect the subconjunctival space with the anterior chamber. Animals were euthanized after 2 and 6 weeks for histological evaluation. Ocular health and implant position were assessed at postoperative days 1, 3, 7 and twice a week thereafter by slit lamp biomicroscopy. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured using rebound tonometry. A good tolerability was observed in both short- and medium-term follow-up. Intraocular pressure was reduced following surgery but increased to preoperative levels after 2 weeks. No clinical or histological signs of inflammatory or toxic reactions were seen; the fibrotic encapsulation was barely noticeable after two weeks and very mild after six weeks. The new material composite PDMS/ZnO-T is well tolerated and the associated foreign body fibrotic reaction quite mild. The new microshunt reduces the IOP for 2 weeks. Further research will elucidate a tube-like shape to improve and prolong outflow performance and longer follow-up to exclude medium-term adverse effects.