Wistar rat model experiments for increasing intraocular pressure: a systematic review.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Animal Models
• Glaucoma Research

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss.
• Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the primary modifiable risk factor for glaucoma.
• Reliable experimental models inducing ocular hypertension (OHT) are vital for glaucoma research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize data on experimental models of OHT in Wistar rats.
• To characterize the temporal profiles (onset, peak, duration) of IOP elevation across different OHT induction methods.
• To provide a framework for selecting appropriate Wistar rat models for glaucoma research.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, including studies from 2000 onwards.
• Searched multiple databases for experimental studies inducing OHT in Wistar rats.
• Extracted data on model type, peak IOP, duration, and measurement techniques; assessed risk of bias using SYRCLE tool.

Main Results:

• 27 studies were included, revealing significant heterogeneity in OHT models.
• Models varied in IOP elevation onset, magnitude, and duration (e.g., corticosteroid, injection, microsphere, vein ligation, laser, suture).
• Variability in IOP measurement techniques and protocols influenced results.

Conclusions:

• Wistar rat OHT models display diverse characteristics, with no single model perfectly mimicking glaucoma.
• This review offers a unique synthesis of peak IOP, time to peak, and duration across models.
• Provides a practical framework to guide the selection of Wistar rat OHT models for glaucoma research.