Purpose: To develop a treatment model of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in which the effects of various vitreous tamponades can be explored. Methods: In a primary session, detachment was produced in the right eye of 24 rabbits using vitrectomy, posterior vitreous detachment, retinal break induction, and subretinal injection of viscoelastic solution. The following day, detachments were treated in 16 eyes using SF6 (n = 8) or Healaflow® (HF, a cross-linked hyaluronic acid hydrogel, n = 8) tamponade. Animals were followed for 1 month and thereafter examined macroscopically and morphologically in hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. Results: Retinal detachment (RD) was successfully treated using repeated surgery. Two HF eyes developed progressive vitritis and were excluded from further evaluation. Enlargement of the initial retinal rupture with concomitant RD was seen in 4/8 SF6 eyes, while all 6 HF eyes displayed an attached retina. Attached areas showed a normal retinal morphology except for in 1 HF eye with extensive degeneration. Conclusions: The RRD repeat vitrectomy model offers a possibility to explore the efficacy and complications of novel potential vitreous tamponades. Gel-based Healaflow® displays excellent anatomic reattachment, however, vitritis and retinal degeneration in some cases warrants further investigation.
Keywords: Histology; hydrogel; rabbit; retinal detachment; tamponade; vitrectomy.