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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2019 Feb 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Pharm Sci. 2017 Oct 16;107(2):513–528. doi: 10.1016/j.xphs.2017.10.012

Figure 3. Schematic of a glaucoma drainage device coated with a 5-FU-loaded PLGA film.

Figure 3

The glaucoma drainage device is implanted to control the intraocular pressure in glaucoma treatment. Drugs such as mitomycin C and 5-FU have been used post-operatively to reduce the fibrosis. One type of draining device, the Ahmed glaucoma valve (pictured), has been tested preclinically in rabbits in combination with a PLGA coating designed to gradually release mitomycin C and 5-FU and shown to be effective.138 (A) An opening/tube of the device that drains intraocular fluid at the anterior chamber of the eye. (B) The end-plate of the drainage device attached to sclera. This part collects intraocular fluid which is reabsorbed back to the eye by passive diffusion. (C) PLGA film coating containing 5-FU and mitomycin C. (D) Cross-sectional view of the PLGA films loaded with mitomycin C and 5-FU. Thus, 5-FU-loaded PLGA film coating the device can help in preventing scarring and fibrosis.183