Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2012 Feb;28(1):83-8.
doi: 10.1089/jop.2011.0030. Epub 2011 Oct 19.

Role of vascular endothelial growth factor in the breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier after retinal laser photocoagulation in pigmented rabbits

Muh-Shy Chen  1 , Ching-Chung Chang, Chang-Ping Lin, Peng-Chen Wang, Li-Rong Lin, Ping-Kang Hou, Tzyy-Chang Ho
Affiliations

Role of vascular endothelial growth factor in the breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier after retinal laser photocoagulation in pigmented rabbits

Muh-Shy Chen et al. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2012 Feb.

Abstract

Purpose: Retinal laser photocoagulation is used to treat a variety of retinal diseases. Breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier has been noted after retinal laser photocoagulation. The effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the function of the blood-aqueous barrier after retinal laser photocoagulation remains undetermined. The current study was designed to evaluate the relationship between intraocular levels of VEGF and breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier after retinal laser photocoagulation in rabbits.

Methods: Pigmented rabbits were treated with retinal laser photocoagulation in one eye; the other served as control. Laser flare photometry was carried out on post-treatment days 1, 3, 7, and 14. Animals were sacrificed at the time period just mentioned postlaser, the eyes were removed, and samples of vitreous and aqueous humor were collected. Intraocular VEGF levels were measured by using an immunoassay. An intravitreal injection of VEGF was administered, and the aqueous flare intensity and VEGF levels in the aqueous and vitreous humor were measured at the time periods just mentioned.

Results: A significant increase in the aqueous flare intensity after retinal laser photocoagulation was noticed on postoperative day 1, with the values returning to baseline levels on day 14. The VEGF levels in the vitreous of the lasered eyes were significantly increased on day 1 compared with the nonlasered control eyes. The VEGF levels in the aqueous humor of the lasered eyes were also significantly increased on day 1 compared with the control eyes. An intravitreal injection of VEGF induced a significant increase in the aqueous flare intensity and VEGF levels in the aqueous and vitreous humor.

Conclusions: The current results suggested that retinal laser photocoagulation can produce a breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier. VEGF may play a role in the blood-aqueous barrier dysfunction after retinal laser photocoagulation.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
Fundus photography of rabbit's eye immediately after retinal laser photocoagulation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. The Diabetic Retinopathy Study Research Group. Photocoagulation treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy: clinical application of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (DRS) findings. DRS Report Number 8. Ophthalmology. 1981;88:583–600. - PubMed
    1. Branch Vein Occlusion Study Group. Argon laser photocoagulation for prevention of neovascularization and vitreous hemorrhage in branch vein occlusion. Arch. Ophthalmol. 1986;104:34–41. - PubMed
    1. Kohner E. Laatikinen L. Oughton J. The management of central retinal vein occlusion. Ophthalmology. 1983;90:484–487. - PubMed
    1. Zweig K. Cunha-Vaz J. Peyman G. Stein M. Raichand M. Effect of argon laser photocoagulation on fluorescein transport across the blood-retinal barrier. Exp. Eye Res. 1981;32:323–329. - PubMed
    1. Jaccoma E.H. Conway B.P. Campochiaro P.A. Cryotherapy causes extensive breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier: a comparison with argon laser photocoagulation. Arch. Ophthalmol. 1985;103:1728–1730. - PubMed

Publication types

Substances

LinkOut - more resources