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Abstract

A method and apparatus for treating patients suffering from glaucoma. A hollow needle is inserted into the eye and advanced across the anterior chamber until the tip punctures the opposite anterior chamber angle wall, exiting the eye under the conjunctiva. The excess pressure is acutely relieved by seepage of the aqueous fluid into the subconjunctival space. A stainless steel helix is ejected from the hollow needle and lodged in the puncture wound of the anterior chamber wall. Sealing the anterior chamber angle puncture wound by normal healing processes is thus prevented and excess pressure is relieved chronically by aqueous fluid seepage through the wound to the subconjunctival space. In a variation of the technique the needle is not passed through the anterior chamber, but the helix is delivered ab externo into the chamber angle.

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