Corneal neovascularization in rats as a model for photothrombotic therapy using bacteriochlorin a and an argon laser.
BACKGROUND
The presence of vessels has a negative influence on corneal transplant survival. Closure of such vessels prior to transplantation may improve the transplant results, and this might be achieved by irradiating the vessels with argon laser light after intravenous administration of a photosensitizer, e.g. bacteriochlorin a (BCA). A suture-induced corneal neovascularization model in rats was set up to test this hypothesis.


METHODS
Suture-induced vessels in the cornea of male Wistar rats were irradiated with argon laser light after intravenous administration of BCA. We applied irradiation of varying energy levels and duration and assessed the changes in the vessels by slit-lamp examination, fluorescein angiography and histology.


RESULTS
Suture-induced corneal vessels in the rat could be used effectively to study photothrombosis therapy. Intravenous administration of BCA prior to irradiation (lambda = 514.5 nm) of the corneal vessels led to vessel closure at lower energy levels and of longer duration than occurred with laser treatment alone.


CONCLUSIONS
Suture-induced corneal neovascularization in the rat can be used as a model to study the efficacy of photothrombosis therapy. BCA can be used to enhance the rate and duration of vessel closure.
van Gool
C A
CA
Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Hospital Leiden, The Netherlands.
Schuitmaker
H J
HJ
Jager
M J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012044:Regression Analysis
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; C065423:bacteriochlorin a