[Method and evaluation of experimental retinal reattachment]

An animal model of retinal reattachment is needed to study experimental macular relocation and recovery of reattached retina. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a simple technique of retinal reattachment. We used the right eye of 13 pigmented rabbits for this experiment. 3 weeks before the operation, the eyes underwent a gas induced vitreous compression with sulfur hexafluoride gas. Transcleral subretinal hydrodissecction was used to create a partial (60-70% of the whole retina) retinal detachment. Retinal reattachment was observed in ten eyes 18 hours after the operation. The dark-adapted electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded in 3 rabbits from 3 days to 3 months after the surgery. Selected eyes were enucleated for histology. The amplitude of ERGs (a-wave and b-wave) were reduced to 30% and 40% of the control eyes on day 3. These waves were restored up to 70% and 80% of normal at 2 weeks and showed no significant changes thereafter. Degeneration and loss of photoreceptors in the early days after surgery as seen by light microscopy were almost completely restored to normal at 3 months after surgery. This model provides large retinal detachment and reattachment with minimized inflammatory response.