Study on the experimental model of krypton laser-induced choroidal neovascularization in the rats

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of krypton laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) model in the Brown Norway rats in order to establish the foundation for studying the mechanism of CNV and for the development of treatment for CNV. Methods Experimental eyes in 33 rats were received a series of 10 krypton red laser (647 nm) lesions per eye (360 mW, 50 μm, 0.05 s). Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were performed, then the rats were sacrificed immediately, the eyes were enucleated and processed for histopathologic examination and transmission electron microscopy on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56. Results CNV was firstly appeared on day 7 after photocoagulation, reaching the peak on day 21. The incidence of CNV was 76.0%. Disciform leakage staining appeared in the FFA. ICGA showed that the disciform area was filled with CNV. CNV was ascertained by light microscopy and electron microscopy. The thickness of laser-induced CNV was increased from day 7 to day 21 ( P 0.01) and no significant progress occurred after day 21 ( P 0.05). Conclusions The present studies demonstrated that krypton laser photocoagulation could be used to produce choroidal neovascularization experimental model in the Brown Norway rat. CNV can be induced rapidly by the method, persists for a long period and at a high successful rate.