Efficacy and safety of a novel glaucoma drainage tube with a porous outer structure (GDTI-50H) in rabbit eyes

We developed a novel glaucoma drainage tube, designated as GDTI-50H. The outer opening end of the drainage tube is provided with multiple drainage holes, which allows for normal drainage of aqueous humor through the remaining holes when one of the drainage holes becomes blocked. It is potentially enhancing the sustained drainage efficiency. Fourteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to receive GDTI-50H implantation in either the right or left eye as the test eye, with the contralateral eye serving as its own control (undergoing sham surgery). Intraocular pressure(IOP) was continuously monitored within 12 weeks postoperatively, combined with slit-lamp microscopy, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, Trypan Blue patency test, and histopathological examination. Results showed that IOP in the test group was significantly lower than that in the control group at 12 weeks postoperatively (all differences were statistically significant, p < 0.05). Anterior segment OCT showed that drainage tube was accurately positioned within the anterior chamber angle without displacement or detachment. The Trypan Blue patency test demonstrated that at 12 weeks postoperatively, Trypan Blue dye could still drain from the anterior chamber into the subconjunctival space in the test group. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining images showed no significant inflammatory cell infiltration around drainage tube. This study demonstrated that after implantation of drainage tube into the anterior chamber of rabbit eyes, and it has certain efficacy and safety in controlling IOP.