Abstract
The aim of this study is to evaluate the retinal safety and toxicity of a novel synthetic biopolymer to be used as a patch to treat rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Thirty one adult wild type albino mice were divided in 2 groups. In Group A (n=9) 0.2 μl balanced salt solution (BSS) and in Group B (n=22), 0.2 μl biopolymer was injected in the subretinal space. Trans-scleral subretinal injection was performed in one eye and the fellow eye was used as control. In both groups, in vivo color fundus photography, electroretinogram (ERG), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were performed before injection and at days 7 and 14 post-intervention. Histological analysis was performed following euthanization at days 1, 7 and 21 post-injection. The biopolymer was visualized in the subretinal space in vivo by SD-OCT and post-life by histology up to 1 week after the injection. There were no significant differences in ERG parameters between the two groups at 1 and 2 weeks post-injection. Minimal inflammatory response and loss of photoreceptor cells was only observed in the immediate proximity of the site of scleral perforation, which was similar in both groups. Overall integrity of the outer, inner retina and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) layers was unaffected by the presence of the biopolymer in the subretinal space. Functional and histological evaluation suggests that the synthetic biopolymer is non-inflammatory and non-toxic to the eye. It may represent a safe therapeutic agent in the future, for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.
Highlights
Retinal detachment is the separation of the neurosensory retina from the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE), and is a potentially blinding ocular condition
Rhegmatogenous retinal detachments are the most common type of retinal detachments and are secondary to retinal holes and/or breaks, which allow fluid from the vitreous cavity to enter the space between the RPE and the neurosensory retina
A chronic retinal detachment can lead to complications such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), vision loss and permanent blindness [4]
Summary
Retinal detachment is the separation of the neurosensory retina from the RPE, and is a potentially blinding ocular condition. Individuals with myopia, as well as history of cataract surgery, trauma or ocular infections have a higher risk of developing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment [1,2,3]. Standard treatment for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment involves scleral buckling and/or pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Endotamponade agents such as air, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), octafluoropropane (C3F8) gas or silicone oil are used to maintain the retina in place and reduce fluid flow through the retinal opening until the retinopexy scar heals [5,6,7,8]. Tamponade agents are successful in achieving reattachment, they have several disadvantages such as head positioning, travel restrictions, limited vision for up to 2 months, silicone oil adhesion to intraocular lenses, cataract, glaucoma, keratopathy and need for second surgery [9,10,11,12,13]
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