title: Rabbit rubeosis iridis induced by intravitreal latex-derived angiogenic fraction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the presence of iris neovascularization in a rabbit-model of retinal neovascularization induced by the intravitreal injection of latex-derived angiogenic fraction microspheres (LAF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight New Zealand rabbits received one intravitreal injection of PLGA (L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres with 50 ug of LAF in the right eye (Group A). Microspheres without the LAF (0.1 ml) were injected in controls (Group B; n = 8). Follow-up with clinical evaluation and iris fluorescein angiography was performed after 4 weeks when eyes were processed for light microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All eyes from Group A showed significant vascular dilation, conjunctival hyperemia and neovascularization on the iris surface, after LAF injection. No vascular changes were observed in Group B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intravitreal injection of microspheres containing the LAF can induce rubeosis iridis in rabbits and could be used as a simple experimental model for iris neovascularization.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. jspaula@fmrp.usp.br
authors: J S
authors: JS
authors: Paula
authors: V R C
authors: VR
authors: Ribeiro
authors: R B
authors: RB
authors: Sampaio
authors: R J
authors: RJ
authors: Mendonca
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Haddad
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: Tedesco
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Coutinho-Netto
authors: H A
authors: HA
authors: Haendchen
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Jorge