Patent ID: 8920357

Claim:
A method of treating glaucoma in an eye utilizing an implanted drainage device, the method comprising the steps of: providing a glaucoma shunt comprising a plate and an elastomeric drainage tube having an open cross-section, an outflow end of the elastomeric drainage tube connected to a part of the plate and an inflow end extending away from the plate, the drainage tube having an open lumen and a tube wall with a hoop strength; positioning the glaucoma shunt in the eye with the plate positioned on the sclera posterior to the limbus; forming an incision at or near the limbus; inserting the inflow end of the drainage tube through the incision and into the anterior chamber of the eye, the hoop strength of the drainage tube being such that the tube wall assumes a collapsed shape within the incision after insertion therein due to the pressure of the incision walls; and leaving the glaucoma shunt in place for a sufficient amount of time to permit formation of a scar tissue bleb around the plate, wherein the resiliency of the drainage tube is such the tube wall will resiliently expand from its collapsed shape to its open cross-section within the incision after a predetermined time after implanting.