title: Clinicopathologic correlations of poly-(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) glaucoma drainage devices of different internal diameters in rabbits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the biocompatibility and intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect of a novel glaucoma drainage implant in rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits received one of three glaucoma drainage implants fabricated from poly-(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene [SIBS]) with an internal diameter of the lumen of either 70 (6 eyes), 100 (6 eyes), or 150 (4 eyes) μm. Clinical follow-up examinations were performed during 6 months and postmortem eyes were studied with light microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Smaller internal diameter implants were associated with fewer complications. IOP levels were not statistically different among the groups. No eyes developed serious complications. Mild chronic inflammation was observed around the tube using light microscopy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SIBS glaucoma drainage implants did not produce clinically detectable intraocular inflammation in a rabbit model. The 70- and 100-μm SIBS drainage devices demonstrated fewer postoperative complications. IOP levels were not statistically different from control eyes in all groups.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmic Biophysics Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA. earrieta@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Esdras A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Arrieta
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aly
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parrish
authors.forename: Sander
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dubovy
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pinchuk
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fantes
authors.forename: Jean-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Parel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D011817:Rabbits; D013343:Styrenes / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D013343:Styrenes; C500040:poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene)