Yooree Chung
BME PhD Defense Presentation

Date: 2025-04-01
Time: Private
Location / Meeting Link: Private

Committee Members:
Mark Prausnitz, PhD Ross Ethier, PhD Machelle Pardue, PhD Andres Garcia, PhD Hans Grossniklaus, MD Deepta Ghate, MD


Title: DEVELOPMENT OF A HYDROGEL-BASED TREATMENT FOR GLAUCOMA VIA NONSURGICAL EXPANSION OF THE SUPRACHOROIDAL SPACE

Abstract:
Current treatments for glaucoma attempt to prevent vision loss through lowering intraocular pressure (IOP); however, pharmacologic therapies have notably poor adherence, while surgical procedures have complications and often require revisions. To improve patient visual outcomes, there is a pressing need for alternative, novel treatment methods. The suprachoroidal space (SCS) is a potential space between the sclera and choroid that can be accessed both surgically and noninvasively with the use of a microneedle. Current devices and implants that utilize the SCS for IOP reduction all require surgical implantation. Our group previously demonstrated a non-drug, non-surgical method of IOP reduction for four months following microneedle (MN) injection of a hydrogel into the SCS in ocular normotensive rabbits. Our primary objective is to create a novel treatment based on SCS injection of a hydrogel using a MN to provide sustained IOP reduction. To improve the translational potential of this treatment, the aims of this proposal are as follows: (1) Assess safety and efficacy of intraocular pressure reduction by hydrogel injection in an ocular hypertensive nonhuman primate model; demonstrate (2) Reduction of intraocular pressure for more than one year by hydrogel injection in into the suprachoroidal space.; and (3) Determine the mechanism of IOP reduction due to hydrogel injection. Taken together, these studies will provide the data needed to evaluate possible advancement into a clinical trial of IOP reduction by hydrogel SCS expansion. The proposed work is innovative as it contemplates an entirely new approach for treating glaucoma, overcoming limitations of current pharmacologic and surgical interventions, and providing the foundational data for future clinical studies.