SYNTHETIC MESHWORK IMPLANT FOR GLAUCOMA FILTERING SURGERY - EFFECT OFADJUNCT HEPARIN AND SODIUM HYALURONATE IN RABBITS

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a novel filterin g implant, a synthetic meshwork (MESH), with or without heparin or sod ium hyaluronate amendment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen eyes of 18 rabbits received MESH surgery. The eyes were divided into three subgro ups. Six eyes received the MESH implant with no modification (group 1) , 6 eyes received MESH saturated with heparin (group 2), and 6 eyes re ceived MESH with sodium hyaluronate administration into the anterior c hamber during surgery (group 3). Intraocular pressure (IOP) and outflo w facility were measured during a period of 6 months. RESULTS: The MES H-implanted eyes showed lower IOP and higher outflow facility than con trol eyes up to postoperative days 119 and 49, respectively (P > .05). Earliest functional failure was seen in group 3 and latest in group 2 . CONCLUSION: MESH implant surgery showed a long-term efficacy in redu cing IOP. The beneficial effects of added heparin were limited. Sodium hyaluronate administration reduced the efficacy of the implant device .