Collagen Implant Aids Glaucoma Surgery

A new biodegradable collagen matrix implant increases the success rate for glaucoma and other selective ophthalmic surgeries

The OculusGen Collagen Matrix Implant, manufactured by OculusGen Biomedical (Taipei, Taiwan), is a biodegradable three-dimensional (3D) porous collagen-glycosaminoglican scaffold, which is designed to prevent scar formation and create a physiologic aqua buffer environment for modulating selected ophthalmic surgeries. Clinical trials are underway in four university hospitals in both Taiwan and China, and the company is processing an application for the CE Mark. Approval is expected during April 2006.

The implant is primarily designed to increase the success rate of glaucoma filtration surgery, used to restore aqueous humor fluid drainage, thus reducing intra ocular pressure (IOP). Filtration surgery often backfires, resulting in the formation of scarring which causes fluid drainage to be obstructed or infected, increasing IOP once again and reducing the success rate to 30-50%, even when anti-proliferation drugs are employed for a year after the surgery. According to the company, with the application of OculusGen just before suturing, IOP is lowered, no anti-metabolism drugs are needed, and the success rate rises to 90-95%.

OculusGen can be used to prevent scar formation and accelerate wound healing in other selected ophthalmic surgeries, such as pterygium excision, eye plastic surgery, strabismus-correction surgery, conjunctival scar-removal surgery, and nasolacrimal duct surgery

Glaucoma is caused by increased IOP due to an accumulation of fluids, and can lead to blindness if left untreated. Treatment of early-stage glaucoma often involves drugs, such as eye drops, and laser surgery. However, once the effects wear off over time, further treatments, such as filtration surgery and trabeculectomy, are needed.




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