Intraocular cannula for chronic drug delivery. Method and clinical observation.

An intraocular cannula system for chronic drug delivery was designed and tested in rabbits. The cannula was inserted through the pars plana and the tip positioned in the vitreous cavity (distal tip) in a site close to the retinal area of interest. The cannula was stabilized by a silicone plate that was sutured to the sclera. The proximal end of the cannula was attached to a larger diameter silicone tubing which served as a connector to the reservoir for chronic drug delivery. Rabbit eyes with implanted cannulas were followed clinically and electrophysiologically for up to one and a half years. They showed almost no adverse effects as a result of the implantation and cannula patency was demonstrated by the injection of sodium fluorescein through the cannula at various times following surgery. We believe that the implanted intraocular cannula, which allows chronic drug delivery, will be a valuable asset for research and possibly clinical studies.