Photochemical initiation of thrombosis. Fluorescein angiographic, histologic, and ultrastructural alterations in the choroid, retinal pigment epithelium, and retina
A. J. Royster, S. K. Nanda, D. L. Hatchell, J. S. Tiedeman, J. J. Dutton and M. C. Hatchell
Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710.
A new method of producing vascular occlusion, photochemical activation of
intravenously injected rose bengal, was used to produce experimental
thrombosis of the preretinal and choroidal blood vessels in rabbit eyes.
Fluorescein angiography and light and electron microscopy were used to
describe the resultant pathologic alterations over time. As early as one
hour after treatment, the endothelium of both preretinal and choroidal
blood vessels was severely damaged or completely obliterated, and platelet
aggregates occluded the vascular lumina. Occlusion of the preretinal and
choroidal blood vessels persisted for up to three days; however,
endothelial regeneration and reperfusion had occurred in both vascular beds
by seven days. In addition, the retinal pigment epithelium and myelin wings
suffered ischemic damage. The retinal pigment epithelium began to recover
by seven days, but the myelin wings appeared to be irreversibly damaged.
