biostudies-literatureUnknown5(3)Thieltges F<h4>Purpose</h4>We developed a surgical method for localized and atraumatic removal of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with a novel instrument.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>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 nearlyTranslational vision science & technology11https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4898042biostudies-literatureLocalized RPE Removal with a Novel Instrument Aided by Viscoelastics in Rabbits.PMC4898042Brinken RStanzel BVLiu ZSomboonthanakij SThieltges FHolz FGBraun NWongsawad WHerwig MfalseLocalized RPE Removal with a Novel Instrument Aided by Viscoelastics in Rabbits.<h4>Purpose</h4>We developed a surgical method for localized and atraumatic removal of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with a novel instrument.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>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 nearly2016-01-01T00:00:00Z2016 Jun2025-06-01T01:58:19.174Z2025-06-01T01:58:19.174ZS-EPMC48980422729401010.1167/tvst.5.3.11