Damage and recovery of visual cells after experimental choroidal circulatory disturbance. 1. Degenerative changes in early stage
Miki, K.; Ohkuma, H.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 84(8): 939-952
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0203 PMID: 6782844 Document Number: 159465
The effects of acute choroidal ischemia in macaque monkey eyes was studied after severing the temporal posterior ciliary arteries. The morphologic changes of the retina, especially photoreceptor cells, were examined by the light microscopy and EM. The eyes were enucleated immediately after the occlusion and 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after the occlusion. The choroidal ischemic lesions were confirmed by fluorescein fundus angiography. At the areas showing filling delay of choroidal fluorescence there were no morphological changes in the retina. At the area of the filling defect in choroidal fluorescence, initial changes occurred from the apex of the outer segment, and successively extended to the nucleus of the visual cell and to the retinal pigment epithelial cell. Rod cells were more susceptible than cone cells. Coagulative necrosis of the visual cells rapidly developed within 24 h after occlusion. Intercellular space of damaged photoreceptor cells was occupied by the processes of Mueller cells and intercellular edema. The retinal pigment epithelial cells had some resistance to the ischemia, but subsequently showed destructive changes. In the cytoplasm of the inner nuclear layer and the ganglion cell layer, agranular endoplasmic reticulum was seen in mild extent, but the damage of other organelles was very slight compared with the outer retina.