Localized RPE Removal with a Novel Instrument Aided by Viscoelastics in Rabbits.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

We developed a surgical method for localized and atraumatic removal of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with a novel instrument.

Methods

Bleb retinal detachments (bRD) were raised with balanced salt solution (BSS) following vitrectomy in 27 rabbits. The RPE was scraped with 3 loop variants (polypropylene [PP], 0.1 mm; PP, 0.06 mm; metal, 0.1 mm) of a custom-made instrument. Stabilization of bRDs with BSS or various concentrations (0.1%-0.5%) of hyaluronic acid (HA) was video analyzed. Perfusion-fixed samples of scraped areas and controls were studied by light and transmission electron microscopy.

Results

The bRDs were sufficiently stabilized by ≥0.25% HA. Using the PP 0.1 mm loop with a single forward/backward stroke, an area of ca. 2.5 × 1.5 mm was nearly

SUBMITTER: Thieltges F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4898042 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature