The modulation of ocular growth in rabbits with peripheral retinal ablation.

Abstract

To study the effects of transcleral cryotherapy and laser photocoagulation of anterior retina on ocular growth. Twenty-one rabbits underwent transcleral cryotherapy or indirect ophthalmoscopic laser photocoagulation of the anterior retina on one of their eyes between 2 and 8 weeks of age. After the rabbits were killed between 3 and 6 months of age, treated rabbit eyes were found to be significantly smaller in axial length (P < 0.001), average equatorial diameter (P < 0.01), average corneal diameter (P < 0.05), and in total ocular volume (P < 0.01). The difference in eye size was not due to lowered intraocular pressure. The results demonstrate that these treatments slow growth of both the anterior and posterior segment of rabbit eyes.