[Experimental model of subretinal neovascularization].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of transpupillary photocoagulation with a diode laser in the development of an experimental model of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the pigmented rat.


METHODS
Diode laser was applied in Long-Evans rats using a setting of 75 microm spot size, 0.05 seconds durations and 200 mW intensity. Follow up was performed by fundus photography and fluorescein angiography that was performed weekly. The animals were sacrificed 7, 14, 21, 30, 45, 52, 60 and 75 days after photocoagulations, the eyes were enucleated and studied by light microscopy.


RESULTS
Variation in burn intensity and diameter was common. During the experiment 42 of 93 burns (45%) showed fluorescein staining and late leakage. Neovascularization was confirmed with histopatology in all lesions that showed fluorescein leakage.


CONCLUSIONS
Transpupillary diode laser may induce CNV in the pigmented rat. This model may be useful in the in vivo study of choroidal angiogenesis and its therapeutic modulation.
Vásquez López G
Departamento de Oftalmología, Clínica Universitaria Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España. guva@medena.es
Jaurrieta Alegría M
Munuera
J M
JM
Aliseda Pérez De Madrid D
Moreno Montañés J
Maldonado López M
García-Layana
A
A
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000473:pathology*