Small eye confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and assessment of retinal damage

摘要

Abstract: The small eye of the snake was used in combination with confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy to evaluate acute laser retinal damage effects at the in vivo cellular level. Because the snake eye has optical powers that allow high magnification and good ocular transmission the photoreceptors of this retina can be imaged in vivo. With a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope, we simultaneously imaged acute laser exposure at either the photoreceptor or epiretinal vascular layer of the snake. Equal energy 50 microjoule Argon laser exposures at 10 msecs produced larger lesion diameters and more photoreceptor loss than equal energy exposures at 80 msecs. Angiography measures demonstrated a deeper lesion depth extending for short pulse vs long pulse exposure. Q-switched 532 nm Neodymium laser exposure produced lesions more than three times the diameter of those induced with higher energy Argon laser energies. Histopathology showed selective damage to the macro and micro-oil droplet structures of this retina, suggesting an alteration in the photoreceptor optical transmission system. Pathophysiological slowing and stoppage of blood cell flow was induced following acute laser exposure.!10