Induction of serous retinal detachment in rabbit eyes by pigment epithelial and choriocapillary injury
X. Y. Yao and M. F. Marmor
Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5308.
Serous retinal detachments have been produced experimentally by occluding
the choroidal circulation. We sought a more realistic model by adjusting
rose bengal photosensitization to injure the retinal pigment epithelium and
choriocapillaris in rabbits without causing vascular occlusion. We
accomplished this by either using low doses of rose bengal or cooling the
animal to reduce ocular temperature by 4 degrees C. Detachments typically
appeared within 1 day after light exposure, centered over the area of light
damage. Fluorescein angiography showed no capillary occlusion, but there
was leakage of dye from areas of light damage. Light microscopy of
light-damaged areas showed swelling or disruption of retinal pigment
epithelial cells but a patent choriocapillaris. These data suggest that a
combination of retinal pigment epithelial and choriocapillary damage may be
necessary for serous detachment to occur.
