An Electroretinographic Changes of Laser-induced Experimental Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion in the Rabbits

ABSTRACT

To verify whether laser-induced branch retinal vein occlusion in the rabbit can be used as the experimental model for the human study. The temporal retinal vein of the right eye was occluded with argon laser photocoagulator with parameters of 500 micrometerspot size, 0.2 second duration, 150-200 microWatt power in twelve pigmented rabbits. The left eye was used as a control. An electroretinogram was taken before and 1,3,7,15 and 28 days after vein occlusion. B/a ratio and oscillatory potentials increased in the eyes with occluded veins. Comparing the pre-occlusion values with those of post-occlusion, the changes were not statistically significant. But differences between the values of right and those of left eye were significant. We can suppose that the discrepancies may result from the difference in timing of examination. In conclusion, the rabbit model of laser-induced experimental branch retinal vein occlusion may not be adequate for the study of clinical branch retinal vein occlusion.