An artificial nano-drainage implant (ANDI) for glaucoma treatment.

Abstract

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. The loss of sight in glaucoma is due to the permanent optic nerve damage which is the result of a chronic elevated intraocular pressure. In this paper, we report a completely new concept to treat glaucoma using a nano-drainage device fabricated through MEMS and nanofabrication technologies. This involves replacing the functionality of diseased drainage pathway for aqueous humor outflow (i.e., trabecular meshwork). By enhancing aqueous humor outflow, the artificial drainage implant will lead to a decrease in the intraocular pressure and a halt in the progression of glaucoma.