Loss of retinal tension and permanent decrease in retinal function: a new porcine model of rhegmatogenous retinal...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Permanent vision loss can occur after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery.
• Existing porcine models do not fully replicate RRD-induced functional loss.
• Retinal tension loss is a key characteristic of RRD not previously studied in vivo.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of retinal tension loss in an in vivo porcine model of RRD.
• To establish a new model for studying RRD-induced damage and evaluating novel therapies.

Main Methods:

• Induced rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in 12 porcine eyes via vitrectomy and subretinal injection.
• Assessed retinal function using multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) and fundus photography.
• Performed histological examinations at 2, 4, and 6 weeks post-detachment.

Main Results:

• Successfully induced RRD in 11/12 pigs.
• MfERG amplitudes significantly decreased, indicating functional loss despite partial reattachment.
• Histology revealed retinal thinning, inner nuclear layer degeneration, Müller cell hypertrophy, outer segment loss, and ganglion cell death within 2 weeks.

Conclusions:

• Loss of retinal tension in detached retinas leads to permanent functional damage and vision loss.
• Ganglion cell death, observed early, is the primary cause of irreversible vision impairment.
• This model facilitates research into the time course of RRD damage and novel treatment strategies.