Experimental ocular angiogenesis.

In 29 experiments, vascular autologous retina from the contralateral rabbit eye was implanted into corneal pockets in New Zealand white rabbits. The implants induced a neovascular growth of limbal vessels that anastomosed with the vessels of the implant in 15 of the cases. Implantation of vascular autologous iris, choroid, optic nerve extraocular muscle, and conjunctiva also induced neovascularization. Avascular peripheral retina, cornea, and scleral implants did not cause a neovascular response, nor did boiled vascular retina, boiled iris, and boiled choroid. Neovascularization from the retinal and iris intracorneal implants was induced by V2 carcinoma.