Abstract
Purpose: :
Iridium complex is a promising organic light-emitting diode material for next generation video displays that emits phosphorescence quenched by oxygen. It is characteristic of iridium complex to emit light under hypoxic condition. We investigated whether new imaging with iridium complex can show hypoxia-tissues in retina of living animals.
Methods: :
Thirty minutes later a venous injection of Iridium complex (50mg) to rabbit (2kg), it was given laser photocoagulation for retinal artery and vein to make nonperfusion areas of retina. Hypoxic condition was evaluated by emitted phosphorescence from the retina using digital retinal camera (Canon CX-1; autofluorescence mode: excitation/emission wavelength 530~580nm/ 640~nm) 30 minutes, 24hours and 7days after laser photocoagulation.
Results: :
Retinal nonperfusion area was confirmed with fluorescein angiography. Avascular area showed increased phosphorescence compared with surrounding area. Signals from avascular area reached to the peak at 24 hours after injection. There were no obvious toxic changes after an injection of iridium complex.
Conclusions: :
In addition to conventional angiography, iridium complex materials have a potential for imaging hypoxic lesions such as retinal nonperfusion area.
Keywords: hypoxia • retina