Sc. Park et Jh. Kim, EFFECTS OF LASER PHOTOCOAGULATION ON CORNEAL NEOVASCULARIZATION IN RABBITS, Journal of refractive and corneal surgery, 10(6), 1994, pp. 631-639
BACKGROUND: Corneal neovascularization is a common clinical entity. Al
though visual acuity is usually impaired and corneal function compromi
sed, there has been only limited success in the clinical management of
this condition. We evaluated the efficacy of laser photocoagulation o
f neovascularization in the rabbit cornea. METHODS: New vessel formati
on was provoked by the placement of sutures in the corneas. Rose benga
l was injected intravenously and new vessels in the upper part of the
corneas were treated with an argon laser. The lower halves were used a
s controls. Eighteen rabbits were divided into 2 groups. In group A ne
ovascularization was treated 28 days after suture removal, when cornea
l inflammation had regressed. In group B treatment was performed 3 day
s after suture removal, when the cornea still exhibited marked inflamm
ation. Postoperatively, the corneas were studied by slitlamp microscop
y, fluorescein angiography, and light, as well as electron microscopy.
RESULTS: In group A, treatment led to the immediate occlusion of the
vessels and to their gradual disappearance during the course of 3 mont
hs. In group B, no occlusion was seen during the 3-month follow-up per
iod. The main histologic findings in the occluded vessels were endothe
lial cell disruption and degeneration, and the formation of clots. CON
CLUSION: Our results suggest that argon laser photocoagulation using r
ose bengal is an effective method of occluding corneal new vessels, pr
oviding there is no corneal inflammation at the time of treatment.