title: Morphologic features of degeneration and cell death in the neurosensory retina in dogs with primary angle-closure glaucoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate cellular death in the neurosensory portion of the retina during the first 7 days after onset of clinical signs of overt primary angleclosure glaucoma (PACG) in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  14 globes from dogs with PACG and 2 normotensive globes from dogs with PACG in the opposite eye.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retinas were examined via light microscopy and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotin-dUTP nick end-labeling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Necrosis of ganglion cells and segmental degeneration of the nerve fiber layer rapidly progressed to scattered full-thickness retinal attenuation and disorganization. Apoptosis was detectable within 1 day after onset of PACG and was prominent by 3 days. Necrosis of ganglion cells was significantly greater in retinas affected for < or = 1 day, compared with retinas affected for > 1 day. In contrast, apoptosis in the ganglion cell layer was significantly greater in retinas affected for > 1 day, compared with retinas affected for < or = 1 day. End-stage retinal atrophy was seen by day 7.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of necrotic ganglion cells within 1 day after onset of clinical signs suggests a narrow window of opportunity to initiate effective therapy in overt PACG. Photoreceptor death is an important and striking aspect of neurosensory retinal degeneration after acute onset of PACG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Whiteman
authors.forename: Gia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Klauss
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Richard R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Dubielzig
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D015812:Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / Q000662:veterinary*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000473:pathology