Design and Preclinical Validation of an Eyeglass-Coupled Perilimbal Antenna for Retinal Prostheses With a...

To present a novel eyeglass-coupled perilimbal antenna for retinal prostheses and evaluate preclinical biocompatibility and ocular surface effects using a refined, graft-assisted implantation technique.

The structural, mechanical, and functional properties of the antenna were assessed, including buffering systems for tissue resilience. Coupling between the eyeglass-rim-mounted emitter and perilimbal receiver was optimized through finite-element electromagnetic simulation and validated in electrolyte solution. A preclinical study was performed in 11 eyes of six Lanyu minipigs, in which antennas were implanted using a refined surgical technique and covered with amniotic membrane, porcine small intestinal submucosa, or pericardium graft. Postoperative evaluations over 6 months included serial external eye photography, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), tear secretion testing, tear cytokine profiling, and conjunctival impression cytology.

All eyes showed stable healing without exposure, infection, or granulation. ASOCT revealed no significant change in perilimbal conjunctival thickness (400.5 ± 89.6 µm baseline vs. 399.4 ± 158.2 µm at 6 months; P = 0.612). Coverage materials thinned significantly (360.7 ± 119.5 µm at 1 month vs. 71.4 ± 103.0 µm at 6 months; P = 0.018) without adverse ocular effects. Transient postoperative elevations of tear cytokines (IL-1β, IL-8, IL-6) normalized over time. Tear production, conjunctival redness, and goblet cell density returned to baseline levels.

The eyeglass-coupled perilimbal antenna enabled efficient transmission with preserved ocular surface integrity. Graft-assisted implantation ensured stability and biocompatibility, serving as a safe interface for retinal prostheses.

A novel perilimbal antenna design enables efficient wireless transmission and biocompatible integration for next-generation retinal prostheses.