Retinal and Vitreal Neovascularization in Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study in the Kitten

Shin Yoneya, Mark O.M. Tso

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The angioarchitecture of vitreal and retinal neovascularizations produced experimentally in the eyes of kittens aged 2 to 9 weeks was studied with scanning electron microscopy. Various forms of new retinal and vitreal vessels were observed depending on topographic locations. Intraretinal neovascularization was observed at the retinal periphery as it grew toward the avascular zone in forms of short vascular buds, aneurysmal out-growths, and neovascular loops. Posterior to this frond of neovascularization, intertwining intraretinal telangiectasia was observed. At the posterior pole, capillaries with microaneurysms extended posteriorly toward the deeper layers of the retina from the vascular trunks at the nerve fiber layer. Vitreal neovascularization broke through the internal limiting membrane and exhibited aneurysmal outgrowths, clusters of glomerular swellings, and sinusoidal vascular channels. At the optic disc, vitreous neovascularization took the form of aneurysmal outgrowths and long vascular buds. Vitreal neovascularization showed different characteristics from the intraretinal neovascularization. We hypothesize that the topographic variation of the angioarchitecture of retinal and vitreal neovascularizations depends on the maturity of the vessels and might be related to the hemodynamics at each site.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1744-1751
Number of pages8
JournalArchives of ophthalmology
Volume109
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1991
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology

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