Neuroprotective Treatment of Laser-Induced Retinal Injuries

摘要

Laser induced retinal injuries are operational and medical problem in the battlefield as a result of lasers used in military equipment and the introduction of visually incapacitating laser weapons. It is not possible to prevent all these injuries and there is no treatment. This study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of dextromethorphan, memantine and brimonidine in our rat model of laser- induced retinal-lesions Methods: Argon laser retinal lesions were inflicted in the eyes of 108 pigmented rats. The treated groups (18 rats for each compound) received the test treatment by dextromethorphan, memantine or brimonidine. The control groups (18 rats for each compound) received the solvent at the same volume and schedule as the tested compound. The rats were sacrificed 3, 20 or 60 days later and the retinal lesions were evaluated by light microscopy and morphometrie measurements. Results: No difference was demonstrated between the treated and the control groups, in the histopathologic appearance of the lesions, their size and the magnitude of photoreceptor nuclei loss within the lesions. Conclusions: Systemic treatments with dextromethorphan, memantine or brimonidine, when given at the dose and schedule evaluated, are not effective in ameliorating the retinal injury induced by argon laser in rats.