Abstract:AIM: To explore the skills and characteristics of corneal neovascular model in rat induced by micropocket assay. METHODS: Nine eyes of nine Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Pellets made of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), poly-2-hydroxylethylmethacrylate and sucralfate were implanted into the corneal stroma no closer than 1mm from the limbus. Biomicroscopic features of corneal neovascular were observed on 1, 3, 5, 7th day after the implantation. RESULTS: On day 1 after operation, the limbal vessels were dilated, with no angiogenesis appeared On day 3, angiogenesis began to invade pericornea with a brush shape, the area of CNV was (2.23±0.59)mm2. On day 5, new vessels reached the lower margin of pellet densely, and the area of CNV was (6.81±1.35)mm2. On day 7, new vessels continued to elongate, parts of them extended as loops toward the pellet, and the area of CNV was (8.92 ±1.79)mm2. Neither hyphema or other complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Corneal neovascularization induced by micropocket assay in rat grows steadily without complication, and is suitable for quantitative researches.
