[Morphology of live retinal pigment epithelial cells].
We attempted to observe, by means of fluorescein angiography, the retinal pigment epithelial cells in pigmented rabbits. Fluorescein angiography was performed in 31 pigmented rabbits, after intravenous injection of 14mg/kg fluorescein sodium. The angiograms were evaluated as prints and as negative film under a light microscope. Animals were sacrificed and submitted to studies by scanning electron microscopy and fluorescein light microscopy. On fluorescein angiograms, we observed mosaic pattern which consisted of numerous polygonal spots overlying choroidal vasculature. Each polygonal spot showed central hypofluorescent area surrounded by hyperfluorescent rim. They were seen in all the eyes except 4 lightly pigmented eyes. They seemed to correspond, in size, to each retinal pigment epithelial cell. This pattern appeared from the early choroidal phase on, to become more distinct 5 to 15 minutes after dye injection. A hexagonal pattern was regularly seen away from the medullary rays by 3 or more disc diameters. The pattern became larger in the periphery than in the posterior pole. These angiographic findings closely matched those of retinal pigment epithelial cells as seen by scanning electron microscopy and fluorescein light microscopy in sizes and shapes. The findings indicate that it is possible to identify retinal pigment epithelial cells in pigmented rabbits by conventional fluorescein angiography.
Iida
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.
Yoneya
S
S
Yo
Y
Y
Numaga
T
T
Hayashi
N
N
Abe
T
T
Takahashi
N
N
D000818:Animals; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000166:cytology*; D011817:Rabbits