title: Laser-induced macular holes demonstrate impaired choroidal perfusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate choroidal perfusion following creation of a laser-induced macular hole in a nonhuman primate model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six rhesus monkeys underwent macular exposures delivered by a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The lesions were evaluated with fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography using scanning laser ophthalmoscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Each lesion produced vitreous hemorrhage and progressed to a full-thickness macular hole. Indocyanine green angiography revealed no perfusion of the choriocapillaris beneath the lesion centers. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated mild enlargement of the foveal avascular zone due to loss of perifoveal capillaries. Histopathologic evaluation showed replacement of the choriocapillaris with fibroblasts and connective tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nd:YAG laser-induced macular holes result in long-term impairment of choroidal perfusion at the base of the hole due to choroidal scarring and obliteration of the choriocapillaris. Evaluation of choroidal perfusion may be useful in assessment of laser-injured patients. Impairment in choroidal perfusion may have functional implications for surviving photoreceptors.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Service, Brooke Army Medical Center, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 7965 Dave Erwin Drive, Brooks AFB, TX 78235, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Jeremiah
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zwick
authors.forename: Steven T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Schuschereba
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lund
authors.forename: Bruce E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Stuck
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002829:Choroid / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D010477:Perfusion; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D007208:Indocyanine Green