Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: In a mouse model for experimental retinopathy of prematurity vascular development and changes can be analysed only by sacrifying the animal at different stages of the disease. In vivo–imaging of the development in the retinal and choroidal vasculature may help to evaluate proliferation, leakage and the effects of local antiproliferative drugs. Methods: C57BL/6J mice with and without oxygen induced proliferative retinopathy were anaesthetized with isoflurane. For fundus imaging and angiography with fluorescein and indocyanin–green dye a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO, Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) with an adapted optical system and condensing lens was used. Results:Angiography with both dyes is save and delivers images of the retinal and to a lesser extent of the choroidal vessels from day 12 on. Retinal proliferations, tortuositas of the venules, retinal capillaries and choroidal vessels could be observed. Conclusions: The normal and pathological development of the murine retina in individual mice can be examined in vivo from day 12 on. Images are of good quality and allow estimation of retinal proliferation over time without having to sacrifice the animal. A standard will be developed to quantify retinal changes in order to determine the effectiveness of drugs modulating angiogenesis.
Keywords: imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • retinal neovascularization • choroid: neovascularization