Retinal vasculitis: correlation of animal and human disease

A form of experimental retinal vasculitis was induced in black hooded Lister rats by the inoculation of retinal S-antigen. Comparison of this disease with retinal vasculitis in man showed striking clinical, angiographic and pathological similarities. Clinically disc oedema, periphlebitis and retinal infiltrates were observed with corresponding leakage of dye on fluorescein angiography. Pathologically the disease showed perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates with focal photoreceptor necrosis. These characteristic features make this an ideal model for the study of the pathogenesis of retinal vasculitis in man.