[Post-natal maturation of the retina in the albino rat. I. The pigment epithelium]. / Maturazione post-natale della retina nel ratto albino: I. L'epitelio pigmentato.

The Authors studied the postnatal development of the retinal pigment epithelium in the albino rat, in order to elucidate its morphological and functional evolution, correlated to the numerous functional roles played in Vertebrates (Scheme 1). At birth, epithelial cells show few cytoplasmic organules and the apical surface provided of small depressions. From the third to the fifth postnatal day the first apical microfolds surround the depressions. From the seventh to the ninth day inner segments develop, whilst the apical surface of the epithelial cells is covered by many finger-like microfolds. During the eleventh postnatal day the buds of the outer segments and many lamellar microfolds can be demonstrated. During the sixteenth day the retina reaches its adult morphology. It is therefore well-evident that birth, similarly to many other Vertebrates, is not the last step, but only a moment, in the development of the retina: this process is completed only during postnatal life, when environmental light is able to stimulate every ocular structure.

About a particular interaction of the fixating eye in strabismic amblyopia after treatment.

2 cases of strabismic amblyopia which were successfully treated are examined. Later on, a slight myopia appeared in the fixating eye only, while the amblyopic eye remained practically emmetropic. The 2 patients had to wear monocular myopic correction, otherwise the visual acuity of the other eye would have been reduced below the visus (without correction) of the fixating but myopic eye. A third case was reported of a hypermetropic patient with a right amblyopic eye and a left fixating but myopic eye. After the appearance of myopic lesions in the dominating eye, pleoptical treatment was successfully given to the amblyopic eye, so that in the end it turned out better than the other eye. Also, in this case the patient was quite disturbed for a long time due to the interference of the eye which was originally better. The authors underline the importance of these interocular effects, both from the standpoint of practical and medical information.