Histological evaluation of Wistar rats after 3 or 6 month of intense cyclic light exposure. Comparable H&E stained sections of retina of control (A, D) rats vs. intense light exposed rats (B, C, E, F), from central parts of retina were evaluated. All layers of the retina were intact in control Wistar rat after 3 months (A). In intense light exposed rats, the inner and outer segments and outer nuclear layer was completely absent and a part of the inner nuclear layer was also affected (B). Areas of sub-RPE vascularization extending into the overlying degenerated retina were frequently observed after 3 28 months of intense light exposure (C). After 6 months of intense light exposure, the retina was within normal limits in the control Wistar rat group (D). Multiple areas of choroidal neovascularization with fibrotic bands anastomosing with the retinal capillary layer were observed in intense light exposed rats after 6 months (E, F). C and F are higher magnifications (x400) of B and E (x200). Arrows show RPE cells and arrow heads show red blood cells. Representative images are shown. All animals exposed to intense cyclic light exhibited a similar phenotype. GCL: ganglion cell layer; INL: inner nuclear layer; ONL: outer nuclear layer; RPE: retinal pigment epithelium. Bar=50 μm.
Albert DM, Neekhra A, Wang S, Darjatmoko SR, Sorenson CM, Dubielzig RR, Sheibani N. Development of choroidal neovascularization in rats with advanced intense cyclic light-induced retinal degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol. 2010 Feb;128(2):212-22