Study on the effects of Epinephrine in intraocular irrigation on retinal function in rabbit eyes

Abstract

Objective To study the effects of Epinephrine in intraocular irrigation on the morphology and function of retina in rabbit eyes. Methods Twelve rabbits were randomly divided into experiment group and control group, 6 cases per group. All cases received intravitreal injections of C3F8 (0.4 ml) and gas compression vitrectomy. The maximum gas expansion was reached after 72 hours injection. The experiment group received intravitreal injection of Epinephrine (0.1 ml, 1∶1 000). The control group received intravitreal injection of saline (0.1 ml). Slit lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy were performed at regular intervals in all eyes pre- and postoperatively. Electroretinogram (ERG), fundus color photography and optical coherence tomography(OCT) was performed pre- and 1, 2, 3 weeks postoperatively. The retinal structure and apoptosis of rabbit retina specimen were observed with light microscopy(LM) and TUNEL stain. Results The difference in amplitude of a wave and b wave value of ERG at pre-and 1, 2, 3 weeks postoperatively were not significant between two groups (P>0.05). The difference of retinal thickness with OCT pre- and 1, 2, 3 weeks postoperatively were not statistically significant between two groups(P>0.05). No abnormal change or apoptosis in the two groups occurred under microscope. Conclusion Epinephrine (1∶1 000) in intraocular irrigation is not effect on ERG and thickness of retina during vitrectomy. Key words: Epinephrine, intraocular, rabbits; Thickness, retinal; Vitrectomy, gas; Function of retina