Effects of exposure to simulated sunlight on the morphology of rabbits' retina / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the pathological features of rabbit' retina at the early stage of sunlight-induced injury.Methods Twenty New Zealand rabbits without any eye diseases were randomly allocated to 4 groups(5 each) animals in group A were fed under normal illumination environment,the animals in group B were fed under normal illumination environment and exposed to constant simulated sunlight,the animals in group C were fed under low illumination environment,and the animals in group D were fed under low illumination environment and exposed to constant simulated sunlight.The pathological changes in rabbits' retina were observed with light and transmission electron microscope.Results The structure of retina in group A and group C were histologically well-defined,uniform in staining,and with regular cell shape.In the animals in group B,vesiculation occurred in the ganglion cell layer,inner nuclear layer and outer nuclear layer,and some of the mitochondria showed swelling.The intramembranous structure of external segments became disorganized.In the animals in group D,vesiculation and swelling occurred in the ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer,with disruption of the cell membrane.Vesiculation and swelling were also found in the outer nuclear layer,with reduction in cell quantity.The structure was disorganized,with disorganized cell membrane,obvious swelling of mitochondria,disorganized intramembranous structure of external segments,and loss and vesiculation of the laminal structure.Conclusion The rabbit' retina will be injured when it is exposed to 30 000 lux constant simulated sunlight for 30 minutes.Rabbits fed in a low illumination environment and exposed to constant simulated sunlight may suffer severer injury than those fed in a normal environment and exposed to constant simulated sunlight.