Article
Histological effects of cryo- and laser coagulation on small animal eyes and anatomical reconstruction in 3D
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Authors
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Jiayun Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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T. Lohmann
- Department of Ophthalmology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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F. Balcewicz
- Department of Ophthalmology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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S. Johnen
- Department of Ophthalmology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Y. Wu
- Institute of Imaging and Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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H. Konermann
- Institute of Imaging and Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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K. Keven
- Institute of Imaging and Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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J. Stegmaier
- Institute of Imaging and Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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P. Walter
- Department of Ophthalmology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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S. Baumgarten
- Department of Ophthalmology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| Published: | May 9, 2025 |
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Outline
Text
Purpose: The pretreatment with cryo- and laser coagulation of the insertion sites in the anterior retina may improve the safety of implantation of complex electronic microsystems. This study shows the histological results of cryo- and laser pretreatment and demonstrates the anatomy of the insertion sites in a 3D simulation platform.
Methods: Eyes of C57BL/6J wild-type mice, Brown Norway rats, and Chinchilla Bastard rabbits were treated with laser or cryo coagulation in the upper hemisphere of the anterior retina. The coagulation effect was evaluated after three weeks by histological processing of the treated areas. 3D models were reconstructed from histology sections and imported in a virtual reality platform.
Results: The ablation effects were visible as extensive necrosis of the overlying pigment epithelium and photoreceptors, dispersion of pigment, gliosis, and formation of a solid retinal adherence to the choroid. (1,057.99±36.43 µm vs 870.33±54.07 µm, p<0.01 for mice, 900.14±174.35 µm vs 587.26±39.16 µm, p<0.05 for rats and 616.97±15.22 µm vs 431.46±53.09 µm, p<0.01 for rabbits). Cryo coagulation resulted in a larger lesion diameter and a greater decrease in the retinal thickness compared to laser in all species studied, with varying degrees of statistical significance.
Conclusion: The outcomes suggest that cryo treatment with a broader-based scarring formation compared to laser treatment is a suitable approach for the pretreatment of the anterior retina in order to create safe areas for the insertion of complex retinal implants. 3D models of small animal eyes allowed visualization of microscopic structures and thus targeted planning of surgical interventions to avoid surgical complications at an early stage of an experiment.
