Subretinal neovascularization. Natural history of an experimental model.

The disciform response is characterized bu its many manifestations determined by subretinal neovascularization. Many advances have been made clinically and with histopathologic correlation, but a clear understanding of the pathogenesis of subretinal neovascularization has not yet been achieved at the basic level. The need to determine the pathogenesis and understand the rationale for therapy argues strongly for the development of a suitable experimental model of subretinal neovascularization. The macula is much more predisposed to the development of subretinal neovascularization than is the area nasal to the nerve head or the periphery. Spontaneous hemorrhages in experimentally induced subretinal neovascularization occurred, underscoring the clinical relevance of this model system. The delineation of the natural history in this report provides the basis for future morphologic correlations and subsequent manipulations of this model system.