Abstract
Purpose: Establish the effects of pre-Descemetic sclero- keratectomy, a new nonpenetrating Deep-Sclerectomy filtration procedure, with and without crosslinked sodium hyaluronic acid (SKgel) implant in the rabbit animal model. Materials and Methods: Ten adult NZW rabbits had surgery only (group A) and 15 other had surgery and a crosslinked sodium hyaluronate implant inserted under the scleral flap (group B). Weekly intraocular pressure (IOP), outflow facility, and central and peripheral corneal thicknesses were measured in both the operated and the contralateral eye over a period of five months in Group A and six months in Group B. Results: IOP was consistently lower until POD 21 for Group A and POD 161 for Group B, respectively (P less than 0.05). Outflow facility was significantly higher than control eyes until POD 14 in Group A and until POD 84 in Group B. Peripheral corneal thickness returned to normal by POD 14 in Group A and POD 28 in Group B. By POD 35, there was no statistical significance between both groups in the mean of peripheral corneal thickness. Conclusion: Pre-Descemetic Sclero-Keratectomy with crosslinked sodium hyaluronate implant is effective in reducing IOP and safe operation in rabbit eyes.
