Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine the feasibility of restoring electroretinogram (ERG) activity of exenterated swine eyes following in vivo arterial anastomosis.
Methods: :
The carotid artery was exposed and cannulated. The eye was exenterated along with the extraocular muscles and surrounding connective tissue. The ophthalmic artery was then identified and anastomosed to the carotid artery. Perfusion was confirmed by injecting FITC-conjugated tomato lectin into the anastomotic tubing and performing confocal microscopy of retinal flat-mounts. Dark-adapted ERG and optic nerve responses were analyzed to assess retinal function, and dilated eye examination and retinal imaging were performed.
Results: :
Arterial anastomosis resulted in perfusion of blood from the carotid artery through the anastomosis and into the ophthalmic artery. Arterial perfusion was confirmed by the presence of tomato lectin-stained retinal vessels. Immediately following the anastomosis, ERG and optic nerve activity was minimal. However, an "a" wave (representing photoreceptor activity), "b" wave (representing bipolar cell activity), and optic nerve responses (representing RGC activity) were detected at 30 min after reperfusion.
Conclusions: :
Electroretinographic function is restored following re-anastomosis of exenterated swine eyes.
Keywords: electroretinography: non-clinical • retina: distal (photoreceptors, horizontal cells, bipolar cells) • blood supply