The process of occlusion and re-construction of the choriocapillaries following dye laser photocoagulation
Katoh, N.; Takahashi, K.; Itagaki, T.; Ohkuma, H.; Uyama, M.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 94(2): 141-151
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0203 PMID: 2368641 Document Number: 350480
In order to elucidate the histopathological changes in the choriocapillaries following laser photocoagulation, moderate laser burns were performed on monkey retinas by an orange dye laser beam (595 nm). Immediately after photocoagulation, the choriocapillaries were occluded by the intraluminal thrombus, however, the basement membrane of the endothelial cells remained. The newly-formed immature endothelial cells began to migrate along the pre-existing basement membrane toward the center from the edge of the lesion after 3 days. They formed new vascular lumens by coupling of intercellular junctions at 5 days. At 7 days, newly-formed capillaries were formed beneath the Bruch's membrane. After more than 7 days, the choriocapillaries in the lesion were re-constructed and required an almost normal structure with wide patent lumens, basement membrane, pericytes and fenestrations. It was showed that choriocapillaries occluded by moderate laser photocoagulation were re-constructed by the process of re-endothelialization along the preexisting basement membrane.