Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are provided. One method involves introducing an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye. The implant is implanted into eye tissue adjacent the anterior chamber such that a proximal end of the implant resides in the anterior chamber following implantation. A therapeutic agent is eluted from the implant into the eye. Desirably, the release of the therapeutic agent from the implant is controlled. The controlled release of the therapeutic agent can be at a chosen rate and/or for a selected duration which can be episodic or periodic. The therapeutic agent can be an antiproliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory drug, or a compound for treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Disclosed are devices and methods for treatment of eye disease such as glaucoma. Implants are described herein that create a flow field, such as between the anterior chamber and either the supraciliary space or suprachoroidal space. In addition, the implant can be treated with one or more treatments, including plasma treatments, for creating a variety of surface features and characteristics. Some of the surface features and characteristics can assist in controlling tissue responses to the implanted implant, including promoting or preventing tissue proliferation.

A glaucoma treatment system includes a glaucoma drainage device having a flexible tube with distal and proximal ends, and an inserter with a filament that extends beyond the distal end of a rigid elongate member (e.g., rod or inserter tube). The filament is configured to detachably couple a distal portion of the drainage device tube to the elongate member of the inserter. The filament may extend through a wall of the distal portion of the drainage device tube. The filament and elongate member of the inserter can be configured for relative movement to detach the drainage device tube from the inserter. The elongate member can define an internal channel, and the filament can be configured for axial movement in this channel so that the filament may move toward the proximal end of the elongate member to detach the drainage device tube from the inserter. Other tools are described and claimed.

The invention relates to an implant for reducing ocular hypertension. Said implant can be used in particular to prevent and treat glaucomas that are emerging or occur. In particular, the implant is an implant (10) for the Schlemm's canal, which comprises a bridge (20), which has a first end point (22) and a second end point (24) and a first support region (26), a second support region (28), and a connecting piece (30), the bridge (20) extending along a first line (L1) from the first end point (22) to the second end point (24) across the first support region (26), the connecting piece (30), and the second support region (28) and the connecting piece (30) having a first cross-sectional area on average along the first line (L1) and the first support region (26) having a second cross-sectional area on average along the first line (L1) after the implantation, characterized in that the second cross-sectional area is at least 50% larger than the first cross-sectional area.

An implant for insertion into a punctum of a patient comprises a body. The body has a distal end, a proximal end, and an axis therebetween. The distal end of the body is insertable distally through the punctum into the canalicular lumen. The body comprises a therapeutic agent included within an agent matrix drug core. Exposure of the agent matrix to the tear fluid effects an effective therapeutic agent release into the tear fluid over a sustained period. The body has a sheath disposed over the agent matrix to inhibit release of the agent away from the proximal end. The body also has an outer surface configured to engage luminal wall tissues so as to inhibit expulsion when disposed therein. In specific embodiments, the agent matrix comprises a non-bioabsorbable polymer, for example silicone in a non-homogenous mixture with the agent.

An ocular implant is provided. In some embodiments, the ocular implant includes a body that is curved about a longitudinal central axis and a distal body portion that defines a longitudinal channel including a channel opening. The implant is sized and configured such that the ocular implant assumes an orientation in which the channel opening is adjacent a major side of Schlemm’s canal when the ocular implant is disposed in Schlemm’s canal. Methods for delivering ocular implants into Schlemm’s canal are also provided. Some methods include covering openings in the ocular implant, advancing the implant into Schlemm’s canal while at least some of the openings are covered, and uncovering the openings while the distal portion of the implant is disposed in Schlemm’s canal.

Disclosed are methods and apparatus, including eyewear and a contact lens, for delivering sound energy to an eye, comprising two or more sonic or ultrasonic transducers that emit sound energy, wherein each transducer is (i) operably linked to a power source and (b) capable of emitting sound energy at more than one frequency and for a variable time period; and a positioning mechanism to position the transducers at an exterior surface of an eye so as to deliver sound energy to an internal part of the eye, for example the Schlemm's canal or trabecular meshwork.

Methods, devices, and systems for inserting an implant in the cornea (105) of the eye, where the implant is a microshunt device (405,515). The microshunt device may comprise an inlet (425) section comprising at least one lumen and at least one inlet opening; an outlet (420) section comprising at least one lumen that connects to at least one outlet opening; and where the microshunt device (405,515) is configured to be implanted within the cornea (105) of an eye, where the microshunt device effects the flow of aqueous humor from an anterior chamber (160,235) of the eye to the anterior surface of the cornea (410,630), bypassing the trabecular meshwork (145,240), thereby diverting aqueous humor from the anterior chamber (160,235) to the surface of the cornea (410,630).

Glaucoma can be treated by implanting an intraocular shunt in the eye. The implantation can be performed by first determining an entry area below a corneal limbus of an eye. Thereafter, the intraocular shunt can be inserted into eye tissue through the entry area such that an inflow end of the shunt is positioned in the anterior chamber of the eye and an outflow end of the shunt is positioned between layers of Tenon's capsule.

Disclosed herein are drug delivery devices and methods for the treatment of ocular disorders requiring targeted and controlled administration of a drug to an interior portion of the eye for reduction or prevention of symptoms of the disorder. The devices are capable of controlled release of one or more drugs and may also include structures which allow for treatment of increased intraocular pressure by permitting aqueous humor to flow out of the anterior chamber of the eye through the device.