Design and Preclinical Validation of an Eyeglass-Coupled Perilimbal Antenna for Retinal Prostheses With a Biocompatible Graft Technique.

PURPOSE: To present a novel eyeglass-coupled perilimbal antenna for retinal prostheses and evaluate preclinical biocompatibility and ocular surface effects using a refined, graft-assisted implantation technique.

METHODS

The structural, mechanical, and functional properties of the antenna were assessed, including buffering systems for tissue resilience. Coupling between the eyeglass-rim-mounted emitter and perilimbal receiver was optimized through finite-element electromagnetic simulation and validated in electrolyte solution. A preclinical study was performed in 11 eyes of six Lanyu minipigs, in which antennas were implanted using a refined surgical technique and covered with amniotic membrane, porcine small intestinal submucosa, or pericardium graft. Postoperative evaluations over 6 months included serial external eye photography, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), tear secretion testing, tear cytokine profiling, and conjunctival impression cytology.

RESULTS

All eyes showed stable healing without exposure, infection, or granulation. ASOCT revealed no significant change in perilimbal conjunctival thickness (400.5 ± 89.6 µm baseline vs. 399.4 ± 158.2 µm at 6 months; P = 0.612). Coverage materials thinned significantly (360.7 ± 119.5 µm at 1 month vs. 71.4 ± 103.0 µm at 6 months; P = 0.018) without adverse ocular effects. Transient postoperative elevations of tear cytokines (IL-1β, IL-8, IL-6) normalized over time. Tear production, conjunctival redness, and goblet cell density returned to baseline levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The eyeglass-coupled perilimbal antenna enabled efficient transmission with preserved ocular surface integrity. Graft-assisted implantation ensured stability and biocompatibility, serving as a safe interface for retinal prostheses.

TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: A novel perilimbal antenna design enables efficient wireless transmission and biocompatible integration for next-generation retinal prostheses.