Analysis of fibroblasts of the suprachoroidal space for development of a new glaucoma micro stent

Abstract

The medical attendance of glaucoma diseases with implanted drainage systems is frequently accompanied by scarring and complete closure of the new attended outflow pathways. The implantation of a new micro stent into the suprachoroidal space promises less scarring problems. To examine the involved fibroblasts with regard to their response to the stent material, coating and incorporated drugs is aim of this study. As a first step the isolation and differentiation of the fibroblasts of different human ocular tissues (tenon capsule, cornea and with most relevance choroid and sclera) was performed. Morphological description based on fluorescence imaging provides first characteristics, but more detailed analysis is required to provide the possibility to distinguish between the different fibroblasts and refine the drug eluting system accompanied with the stent to its specific environment. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.