Experimental intraocular fibrovascular proliferation through sclerotomy wound

In the process of closing scleral wounds caused by various conditions, incarceration of conjunctiva, Tenon's capsule, or vitreous in the wound can occur unexpectedly. We created such conditions experimentally in order to discover their intraocular complications. The experimental materials consisted of 12 albino rabbits (24 eyes) divided into two groups (Groups I & II). Vitrectomy was performed in the Group I rabbits (12 eyes) but not in the Group II rabbits (12 eyes). Flaps of conjunctiva and Tenon's capsule were made and inserted into the vitreous cavity through the sclerotomy site, which was soon closed. Fundal examination of the rabbits was carried out using an indirect ophthalmoscope at intervals after the procedure; first at 3 days, then at 1, 3, and 6 weeks, and then at 3 months and 6 months, respectively. Enucleation of the rabbits' eyes 4 from two different rabbits at each of these intervals was carried out, and the extracted eyes were examined under a light microscope at each interval. The results are summarized as follows: 1. All rabbit eyes studied showed intraocular fibrovascular proliferation. 2. The extent of tissue proliferation, which was proportional to the amount of vitreous hemorrhage, was greater in Group II than in Group I. 3. The proliferated tissue developed to "band" by three weeks postexperiment, after which it gradually regressed. 4. The fibrovascular band was made of fibroblasts, stromal matrix, and capillaries.