In-vivo investigation of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization in rat using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT)
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Updated: May 17, 2026
In vivo Structural Assessments of Ocular Disease in Rodent Models using Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: July 24, 2020
Tao Liu1, Ling Hui, Yu-sheng Wang
1Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute of Chinese PLA, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
Purpose:
This study investigated the in-vivo formation process of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in rat using high-resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and compared the results to histological methods.
Methods:
Brown Norway rats (n = 60, 6-8 weeks of age) received 532-nm diode laser photocoagulation. SD-OCT and fluorescein angiography (FA) were performed in vivo 2, 5, 7, 14, and 21 days post-laser application. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry for CD31, phosphorylated vascular endothelial factor receptor 2 (pVEGFR2) were conducted at each time point to observe the CNV in vitro. Choroidal flatmount preparations were observed using a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Results:
SD-OCT monitored the longitudinal morphological changes of laser-induced CNV. CNV reached its maximal size on day 7, and began a gradual reduction on day 14. FA revealed similar dynamic changes in leakage. CNV thickness, as assessed by SD-OCT, was consistent with H&E-stained sections at each time point. CLSM and SEM revealed the details of the fibrovascular membrane. CD31 and pVEGFR2 expression supported the results of SD-OCT and histology.
Conclusions:
SD-OCT was a convenient and reliable tool for the imaging of the CNV formation process and quantification of the lesion size in vivo.
