Vascular casts of experimental subretinal neovascularization in monkeys: a preliminary report

Experimental subretinal neovascularization (SRN) was produced in rhesus monkeys by laser burn and its vascular casts were examined with the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed a vascular pattern similar to that seen in fluorescein angiography, but provided a three-dimensional vascular architecture, which is not detectable by angiography. The SRN represents an ingrowth of new vessels into the subretinal space from the choroid through each burn site. Special attention was given to the afferent and efferent vessels of the SRN frond. The frond was supplied by the choroidal arteriole and the routes of egress from the frond to the choriocapillaris were observed. These observations suggest the uniformity of this experimental SRN, i.e., arteriolar supply to the frond and drainage to the choriocapillaris around the burn sites.