Experimental studies on the accumulation of subretinal fluid

In an attempt to develop a rabbit model for serous detachment, we damaged the pigment epithelium with low-intensity laser burns, lowered intraocular pressure and administered dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate (cAMP), to inhibit pigment epithelial water transport. We produced only small areas of edema or very low detachment that persisted for a few days at best. These experiments suggest that it is remarkably difficult to make fluid stay in the subretinal space, and more stringent conditions will be needed to mimic the size and persistence of clinical serous detachments.