Pathophysiological Characteristics of Diabetic Ocular Complications in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii Rat
Figure 2
Typical ocular observations in control male SD rats (a, c, e, and g) and SDT rats (b, d, f, and h). (a) and (b) macroscopic photographs of eyes. Hypermature cataract is observed in male SDT rats by 40 weeks of age. (c) and (d) histopathological changes in lens and retina at 80 weeks old. Proliferative fibrovascular membrane in vitreous is found around the optic disk. Retina is locally thickened and formed a fold. Disintegration of lens is also observed. H&E stain. (e) and (f) fluorescein angiomicroscopy at 80 weeks of age. Abnormal vascular formation, including venous dilation and meandering vascular networks, is characteristically observed in SDT rats. Extensive fluorescein leakage is found around the optic disk. (g) and (h) anti-VEGF staining of iris at 80 weeks of age. VEGF immunoreactivity is increased in iris of SDT rats. This may cause a massive hemorrhage on iris in some severe cases.
