A research team at the University of Oxford has unveiled a pioneering microstent designed to provide a minimally invasive treatment option for glaucoma, a major cause of vision loss worldwide. The study has been published in The Innovation, Cell Press.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness after cataracts, affecting 7.7 million people globally in 2020. The disease can cause irreversible optic nerve damage due to elevated intraocular pressure. Current treatments, including surgical implants or drainage procedures, are highly invasive, carry risks, and often have limited long-term effectiveness.
How the Microstent Works
The newly developed microstent has a unique structure that allows it to expand once inserted into the eye. At just 200 micrometers in diameter, it fits into the needle of a standard hypodermic syringe, enabling minimally invasive insertion.
Once positioned, the microstent spans the space between the white of the eye and its covering membrane, reducing fluid buildup and lowering intraocular pressure, which is responsible for primary open-angle glaucoma.
Initial trials in rabbits demonstrated that the microstents reduced eye pressure in under a month with minimal inflammation and scarring. They also achieved greater pressure reduction than conventional tubular implants.
Durable and Flexible Design
Senior co-author Professor Zhong You highlighted the device’s construction from nitinol, a super-flexible nickel-titanium alloy renowned for long-term ocular safety. Its unique combination of material and structure prevents movement, enhances durability, and ensures lasting effectiveness.
Advanced modelling techniques were used to optimize the microstent’s design for compatibility with eye anatomy. Its superelastic properties allow it to adapt to changes in the eye without permanent deformation, enhancing its function and longevity.
Implications for Patients
In the UK alone, over half a million people live with glaucoma, representing about 2 percent of adults over 40. The microstent could improve accessibility to safer and more effective glaucoma treatment and potentially reduce reliance on invasive surgery.
Lead author Dr Yunlan Zhang commented, “Our deployable microstent shows a significant advancement in glaucoma treatment. Current surgical implants often fail over time due to fibrosis, but our device is designed to maintain long-term efficacy.”
Looking Ahead
The microstent represents a promising step forward in ophthalmology, offering hope for improved outcomes for millions of glaucoma patients worldwide. The study, “A Novel Deployable Microstent for the Treatment of Glaucoma,” is now available in The Innovation, Cell Press.