Objective: To determine the feasibility of creating a perivascular space adjacent to the central retinal vein at the level of the lamina cribrosa as a potential method of reestablishing perfusion in central retinal vein occlusion.
Methods: Various designs for a puncture instrument, or lamina puncture lancet, were investigated in cadavers, pigs that had undergone enucleation, and in vivo rabbit eyes.
Results: A lancet with a sharp cutting edge on one side and an opposing blunt edge is repeatedly able to create a perivascular space with limited optic nerve fiber damage.
Conclusions: Lamina puncture is technically feasible, and evaluation in carefully selected patients appears warranted.