A Novel Approach for Sub-Threshold Detection and Prevention of Laser Injury in Ocular Tissue
Abstract
Aim I. Development of a novel fluorescence imaging technique, for in vivo detection of retinal pigment epithelium lesions following exposure to laser radiation. We acquired a new custom-built multi wavelength scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) for multi spectral in vivo fluorescence imaging of animal retina following laser exposure. The imaging system was optimized for retinal imaging in aged Brown Norway rats. In order to induce laser lesions in the retina in vivo, we integrated the surgical laser system with our ophthalmoscope and we obtained images of the rat retina from animals following laser exposure. Aim II. Demonstrate that preconditioning of retina by using chronic low dose light exposure or transient sub threshold exposure to thermal insult induces a desirable adaptive response that could provide retina protection against subsequent supra-threshold laser exposure. Duplicate experiments suggested an effect of pre-conditioning, in that the heated animals required a higher laser power to show RPE changes by fundus autofluorescence. Subsequently, we found that post-exposure conditioning showed an even more consistent protection. Pre-and post conditioning upregulated Heat Shock Proteins effectively.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 31, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA532546
Entities
People
- Frederik Van Kuijk
- Massoud Motamedi
Organizations
- University of Texas Medical Branch