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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
A Mouse Model for Laser-induced Choroidal Neovascularization
Published on: December 27, 2015
A new animal model of choroidal neovascularization
Jens F Kiilgaard1, Mads Varis Nis Andersen, Anne K Wiencke
1Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. JFK@dadlnet.dk
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of different methods to induce choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the domestic pig.
Methods:
A total of 26 Danish landrace pigs was used. A sample of 22 eyes in 12 pigs underwent retinal photocoagulation with a xenon lamp, six eyes in four pigs underwent retinal photocoagulation with a diode laser, and mechanical rupture of Bruch's membrane (BM) was induced in 12 pigs following surgical debridement of the retinal pigment epithelium without damage to the neuroretina.
Results:
All 12 pigs (100%) in the group with mechanical rupture of BM developed CNV. The induced membranes were morphologically similar to CNV membranes in humans. Induced CNV was found in 13 of 22 (54%) xenon lamp-treated animals and in five of six (83%) diode laser-treated animals. The CNV in these groups was small and the morphology of the induced lesions was dominated by retinal gliosis and retinal neovascularization, probably due to a marked destruction of the neuroretina.
Conclusions:
Surgical debridement of the retinal pigment epithelium followed by mechanical rupture of BM is a reproducible method of producing CNV in the domestic pig, whereas photocoagulation gives rise to glially derived subretinal fibrovascular membranes and primarily retinal neovascularization.
