J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1978 Mar;19(1):29-41.

Electron Microscopic Observation in the Response of the Retina in Experimental Chalcosis

• Koo BS
• Yoo JH

Abstract

Two kinds of copper-pure and 70% dilute alloy suspension were introduced into the vitreous of albino rabbits, and electron microscopical observation was carried out on the retinal tissue after several periods from 1 day up to 60 days. Major changes are as follows: 1. Early response of rabbit retina with pure copper foreign body exhibited severe and diffuse destruction with much deposition of particles mainly in nerve fiber layer. The influence of 70% copper alloy to the retinal tissues tended to demonstrate mild, localized and delayed in occurrence. 2. In the nerve fiber layer where the tissue disintegration took place Muller cell demonstrated the features of mitosis and proliferation. Including this rare incidence, it is possible to conclude that Muller cell proliferation occur in any part of the retina if the condition allows. 3. Cytoid bodies mainly consisting with glycogen aggregates within the Miiller cell processes in nerve fiber layer was one of prominent pictures in early stage. 4. Muller cells took an important role in reparative process replacing the destructive portion of the retinal cells with the extension of the same cells beyond the external limiting membrane toward the choroid. 5. At the late stage, the Muller cells contained abundant filaments replacing the reduced number of smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and other organells. That implicats the enhancement of supportive mechanism at the occasion of the disintegration of retinal tissue prolonged. 6. A relatively early sign was active phagocytosis of retinal pigment epithelial cells engulfing the reminiscent fragment of ouer pigment of visual cells.

MeSH Terms

Alloys
Cell Proliferation
Choroid
Copper
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Ependymoglial Cells
Epithelial Cells
Foreign Bodies
Glycogen
Incidence
Membranes
Mitosis
Nerve Fibers
Phagocytosis
Rabbits
Retina*
Retinaldehyde
Alloys
Copper
Glycogen
Retinaldehyde