Deferoxamine Reduces Retinal Toxicity from Subretinal Blood

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: Subretinal blood is a common clinical problem thatproduces retinal damage in a short period of time. Our previousstudies have shown that the RBCs are responsible for most ofthe damage by releasing iron. The goal of this study was toinvestigate the effects of Desferal (Deferoxamine), an ironchelator on retinal damage due to subretinal blood.Methods:0.07 ml of concentrated RBCs were injected by a transscleralroute into the Subretinal Space of New Zealand Albino Rabbits.Control eyes received a 0.07-ml injection of BSS. The animalsreceived intramuscular injections of desferal every 12 hoursfor 7 days. The initial injection was 90 mg/kg and subsequentinjections were 45 mg/kg. Animals were examined by indirectophthalmoscopy at 24 and 48 hours after injection and at 1 and2 weeks. Bright flash ERGs were recorded from both the injectedand fellow eyes at 48 hours and 1 and 2 weeks.Results: Table1 and fig 1, show the results of ERG recordings made at 48 hoursand 7 days. Amplitude values represent percentage change frompreop ERGs. No significant changes in a-or b-wave amplitudein the non-injected eye were seen at 7 days indicating no retinaltoxicity from short duration of Desferal injections. After discontinuingthe Desferal injections after seven days in eyes in which subretinalblood was still present, the a- and b-wave amplitudes decreasedto 38% and 41% of preoperative values respectively. However,a- and b-wave amplitudes after the blood had cleared were decreasedby 14% and 9%, respectively.Conclusion: Desferal reduces theretinal damage from subretinal blood. When subretinal bloodis present, retinal damage may be limited by administrationof Desferal until the blood can be removed or is spontaneouslyabsorbed. Table-1. Mean Amplitude of ERGs waves (change frompreop levels)  

 

Keywords: 390 drug toxicity/drug effects • 554 retina