EFFECT OF ENDOSCOPIC WHITE-LIGHT ON THE DEVELOPING RAT RETINA

Objective: Our goal was to determine the effect of endoscopic white li ght on the developing mammalian retina by quantitative histological an alysis. Study Design: Albino rats at postnatal days 10 (n = 16) and 16 (n = 20) were exposed to endoscopic white light for 1 h, while an equ al number oflittermate controls were not exposed, but otherwise treate d identically. The thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and the total retinal thickness were measured light microscopically using a co mputer-assisted morphometry program. Results: We found no statisticall y significant decrease in the thickness of the ONL or the total retina l thickness, nor were any significant decreases found in the ONL or th e total retinal thickness for male or female groups. Conclusion: Endos copic white light does not cause damage to the developing rodent neura l retina detectable at the light microscopic level.