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Investigation of particular surgical steps in epiretinal prostheses implantation procedure in pigs
Author(s) -
IVASTINOVIC D,
GEORGI T,
HORNIG R,
WEDRICH A,
VELIKAYPAREL M
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2009.3112.x
Subject(s) - vitrectomy , medicine , retinal detachment , proliferative vitreoretinopathy , implant , prosthesis , ophthalmology , surgery , retinal , epiretinal membrane , intraocular lens , aphakia , visual acuity
Purpose Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is known a known complication of implantation of epiretinal prostheses in porcine eyes using our combined surgical procedure of vitrectomy, lensectomy, large scleral incision and retinal tack insertion. The aim of the present experimental study is to investigate the intraocular reaction to particular parts of the epiretinal prostheses implantation procedure in pigs. Methods 15 pigs were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (n=6) underwent vitrectomy, lensectomy, insertion of inactive epiretinal prosthesis through a scleral incision and fixation to the posterior pole with a retinal tack. In group 2 (n=5) vitrectomy, scleral incision and retinal tack insertion were performed. Group 3 (n=4) received vitrectomy, scleral incision and insertion of a shortened prosthesis into the vitreous cavity. The follow up was 4 weeks. Results PVR was observed in all eyes of group 1 and in one eye of the group 3 with unintentional perforation of the lens capsule by the shortened implant. In all other eyes funduscopy revealed no clinical pathology. Conclusion Our results indicate that lensectomy is the key stimulus for PVR in porcine eyes while other steps of the implantation procedure are well tolerated. Though pigs do not seem to be a reactive animal model, lens manipulation should be avoided in the surgical procedure for the implantation of retinal prostheses.