Glaucoma treatment typically relies on an artificial drainage for the aqueous humor through the sclera tissue is generated to reduce the inner ocular pressure. A common problem of this procedure is the scarring in the tenon layer which is located in between the conjunctiva and the sclera tissue. Scarr tissue formed in this region closes the drainage and the inner ocular pressure increases again.<br/>We report on a strategy to reduce or illiminate scarring by depositing a thin cell repellent coating on the sclera tissue such that the tenon cells which form the scar can neither adhere nor proliferate there. We have used thin patches of polymers with reactive groups which upon photochemical activation crosslink and attach to the tissue via C,H insertion crosslinking (CHic).<br/>First investigations on porcine sclera tissue samples show that these coatings can be generated in a quick and reliable way. The overall procedure is consistent with the requirements of a surgery and extensive <i>invitro</i> experiments have shown that tenon cells cannot adhere to the coated layers while they adhere and proliferate strongly on native tissue. First in vivo studies in rabbits have also shown that the polymer itself is not cell toxic.

Surface-attached polymer networks for glaucoma surgery

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.