The long-term effects of experimental total retinectomy

ABSTRACT

Experimental total retinectomy was performed in pigmented rabbit eyes to in vestigate its long-term effects on the operated and nonoperated opposite eyes from both clinical and histological aspects. There was no significant change in intraocular pressure between the preoperative and postoperative measurements during the six months after surgery. Rubeosis iridis, intraocular hemorrhage and phthisis bulbi were not evident in the operated and opposite eyes. Light microscopic examination revealed congestion of the choroidial vessels. There were scattered areas of retinal pigment epithelial cell proliferation. Transmission electron microscopic examination showed apiral mounding of the retinal pigment epithelium. Apical processes were short and reduced in number. Apical processes of the retinal pigment epithelial cells interdigitated with surface processes of the proliferating retinal pigment epithelial cells. There were numerous melanosomes in the cytoplasm of the proliferating retinal pigment epithelial cells. Cell junctions between the retinal pigment epithelial cells were well preserved.