Experimental studies on the pathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity.

The angiogenic activity of various parts of the retina in kittens with oxygen-induced retinopathy has been studied by the use of a corneal micropocket technique and chorioallantoic assay. The results indicate that in retinopathy of prematurity the most important role in the pathogenesis of fibrovascular proliferation is played by the so-called primary avascular retina, that is, that part of the retina which has not yet been vascularised during ontogenesis.