Long-term effects of short-term retinal bleb detachments in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of saline-induced bleb detachments in rabbit retina.


METHODS
Retinal bleb detachments were produced by the injection of 50 microl of balanced salt solution (BSS) into the subretinal space of one eye of each of six rabbits using a glass pipette with a flat tip, 50 microm in diameter. The retina was examined by biomicroscopy, scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO), auto-fluorescence and simultaneous fluorescein and indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. Histological examination was carried out at 1, 2, 3 and 4 months after surgery.


RESULTS
All rabbits showed leakage of fluorescein for at least a day after detachment, but within 1 month the leakage ceased. ICG staining developed gradually at the level of the RPE or Bruch's membrane near sites of previous staining. Lipofuscin fluorescence also developed gradually around areas of staining. Histology revealed the source of the excessive lipofuscin to be in the RPE layer, especially in cells migrating away from Bruch's membrane.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term bleb detachments cause a transient breakdown in the blood-retinal barrier, long-term ICG staining at or deep to the RPE layer, hyperlipofuscinosis and migration of the RPE. The abnormal lipofuscin accumulation is apparent on fluorescence ophthalmoscopy and can be confused with markers such as green fluorescent protein.
Ivert
Lena
L
Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, 630 W. 168 Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Kjeldbye
Hild
H
Gouras
Peter
P
D000818:Animals; D001813:Blood-Retinal Barrier; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D008062:Lipofuscin / Q000378:metabolism; D008853:Microscopy; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011817:Rabbits; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D004396:Coloring Agents; D008062:Lipofuscin; D007208:Indocyanine Green