[An experimental model of intravitreal neovascularization in rabbits]

The author developed a consistent model of intravitreal neovascularization in the eyes of pigmented rabbits by incomplete posterior vitreous detachment after air injection followed by implantation of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF; 250 ng or 1 microgram) in the vitreous and simultaneous intravitreal injection of DL-alpha-aminoadipic acid in physical saline solution (1 mg/kg). Newly formed vessels were observed in the proliferative fibrous membrane that surrounded the b-FGF pellet. In fluorescein angiography, we observed fluorescein leakage from the newly formed vessels. Histologically, the newly formed vessels showed fenestration of endothelial cells. This method provides an easy and consistent model to study neovascularization.