title: Tissue response to subtotal retinectomy in a rabbit model.
abstract: We surgically removed lenses and as much retina as accessible in one eye of six pigmented rabbits which were followed for up to four months postsurgically. Clinically, pre-RPE membranes were noted to form within the first weeks after surgery, and eyes remained hypotensive in the absence of notable inflammation. Morphologic studies demonstrated a variable response of RPE, ranging from atrophy to hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Pre-RPE membranes appeared to arise from both the RPE as well as from tags of peripheral retina and were of two morphologic types: spindle cell-collagenous membranes, and a highly cellular glial membrane. Bone formation within collagenous membranes was seen in four of six eyes studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27514.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Peiffer
authors.forename: I K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Orgel
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Lewen
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Eifrig
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005123:Eye / Q000473:pathology; D008566:Membranes / Q000473:pathology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*