Apparatus and method for preventing glaucomatous optic neuropathy

An intraocular device for preventing glaucomatous optic neuropathy, the device comprising:

• an optic nerve head shield configured to be placed within an eye of a human or animal;
• and
• the optic nerve head shield is configured to be disposed directly over and without penetrating an optic nerve head of the eye and is configured to form a suction pressure seal over the optic nerve head,
• wherein the optic nerve head shield is a circular cover comprising a central stiffer part and a more flexible concentric peripheral part,
• wherein the flexible peripheral part is contoured to fit over retinal vessels of the eye and to form a pressure seal with the retinal vessels as the retinal vessels exit the optic nerve head,
• wherein the optic nerve head shield is concentric with the optic nerve head and is held in place by suction between the device and a retina of the eye, and
• wherein the optic nerve head shield is configured to decrease the pressure differential across the cribiform plate of the eye preventing bowing of the cribiform plate and glaucomatous optic neuropathy.