Functional deficits resulting from laser-induced damage in the rat retina

Gil Ben-Shlomo, Mark Belokopytov, Mordechai Rosner, Galina Dubinsky, Michael Belkin*, Yoram Epstein, Ron Ofri

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and Objectives: To determine the threshold for electrophysiological detection of functional changes after laser photocoagulation in rats, and to correlate the functional damage with retinal morphology. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Argon-laser lesions, covering a quarter or half of the retina, were produced in the right eyes of 25 rats. Eyes were evaluated by flash electroretinography (ERG) and histologically at 3, 21, and 60 days after lasering. Results: Lasering of half the retina, but not of a quarter, produced a significant decrease in signals at all time points. Some functional recovery was evident 60 days after injury, and was consistent with concurrent morphological healing. Conclusions: In rats, lasering of half the retina, but not a quarter, leads to significant deficits in outer retinal functions over a 2-month period. Thereafter some recovery occurs, presumably as a result of migration of photoreceptors from undamaged areas and their retinal remodeling.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)689-694
Number of pages6
JournalLasers in Surgery and Medicine
Volume38
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2006

Keywords

  • Electroretinogram
  • Laser
  • Retinal injury
  • Wound healing

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