ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECT OF RETINOIC ACID IN 1-PERCENT SODIUM HYALURONATE IN AN ANIMAL-MODEL OF PVR

Purpose. To determine the antiproliferative activity of intravitreous retinoic acid (RA) dispersed in 1% sodium hyaluronate (HA). Methods. S ix groups of pigmented rabbits underwent gas-compression vitrectomy. F our days later, gas/HA or gas/balanced salt solution (BSS) exchange (1 .0 ml) was performed in all rabbits. Groups A (n = 10) and B (n = 5) r eceived intravitreous RA dissolved in 0.01 ml of ethanol and dispersed in 1% HA (10 and 15 mu g RA/ml, respectively). Group C (n = 10) recei ved intravitreous RA dissolved in ethanol and dispersed in BSS (10 mu g RA/ml). Groups D (n = 5) and F (n = 4) received 1 mi of HA with etha nol; group E (n = 5) received 1 ml of HA without ethanol. All groups e xcept group F also received homologous fibroblasts and autologous, pla telet-rich plasma intravitreously. The eyes were examined ophthalmosco pically for 1 month. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) findings we re graded according to the classification of Fastenberg et al. All gro up F eyes also were examined by light and electron microscopy. Results . RA in HA lessened PVR progression within 1 month when compared with HA injection controls and within 2 weeks when compared with the RA in BSS treatment group (both, p < 0.05). No specific change attributable to ethanol was observed histopathologically. Conclusion. RA dissolved in ethanol and dispersed in HA could be useful to treat PVR when silic one oil is unnecessary.