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The effect of heparin-surface-modification on scar-tissue formation around a subconjunctival polymethylmethacrylate
1Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Purpose:
Excessive scar tissue formation around ocular drainage implants is a common cause for implant failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of heparin-surface-modification of a subconjunctival polymethylmethacrylate implant on scar-tissue formation in the rabbit eye.
Methods:
Plain and heparin-surface-modified polymethylmethacrylate implants were implanted subconjunctivally in the eyes of 13 rabbits in two groups consisting of 8 and 5 animals. In the latter group the implants were in contact with aqueous humour through a fistula into the anterior chamber.
Results:
Both unmodified and heparin-surface-modified polymethylmethacrylate implants were well tolerated. In histological sections studied by both light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, heparin-surface-modification of polymethylmethacrylate implants seemed to diminish the formation of scar tissue around the subconjunctival implants.
Conclusion:
Heparin-surface-modification of polymethylmethacrylate implants could provide one way to affect the formation of excessive fibrous tissue around ocular drainage implants.