Axial length increase in lid-sutured rabbits

Using eyelid sutures, we induced axial elongation in 20 15-day-old rabbits. When the eyelid sutures were opened, the eyes revealed a slight increase i n their axial length. This evident axial elongation continued to evolve des pite restitution of functional integrity to the previously sutured eyes. We suspect that because the lid sutures altered visual input and inhibited th e retina from maintaining control of ocular growth, the retina instigated e xcessive eye growth, resulting in the initial consequent axial elongation t hat was evident on removal of the sutures. Additionally, poor quality of th e retinal image, probably resulting from the noncorrected myopic ametropia caused by the lid sutures, could be the cause of the continued axial length increase observed after the lid sutures were removed. (Surv Ophthalmol 44 [Suppl 1]:S103-S108, 1999. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights res erved.).