Experimental Model of Solar Retinopathy

Jeon, Sun Wook; Park, Young Hoon; Hahn, Duk Kee

Abstract

In order to produce solar retinopathy, the right eyes of Strauge-Dawley albino rats were exposed to sun light(13,1500 lux) for 15 and 30 minutes respechrel(experimental groups), while the left eyes were taped to protect them from solar damages(control groups). In both experimental and control groups. We studies the lnjuries of the retina due to sun llght. The enucleated eyes ln both groups, were examined by light and electron microscopes for histopathologic changes of the retina preceded by the indirect ophthalmoscopic examination under low Illumination. Although there was no definite pathologic change in indirect ophthalmoscopic and light microscopic examinations, rather severe damage was seen at the electron microscopic level. At one day after the experiment, the inner segment of visual cells was relatively well preserved, but the other layers of the retina were markedly damaged. More severe retinal damage was seen in the 30 minute group than in the l5 minute group. At 2 weeks after the experiment, partial recovery of the whole retinal layers was observed, especially in the visual cells. At 4 weeks after experiment, the outer and inner segments of the visual cells were nearly normalized. Considering the results of the experiment, it is evedent that frequent clinical usage of indirect ophthalmoscope, surgical microscope and slit lamp biomicroscope could affect the retina and produce damage ultrastructually, even though no significant abnomalities are found by any other means.