Retinal detachment and pathology following experimental embolization of choroidal and retinal circulation.

By means of a micro-surgical technique, the central retinal artery of the owl monkey (Aotus trivirgatus) was embolized with spheric plastic beads (7-25 mu in diameter). Beads (4-15 mu) were also injected into choroidal capillaries through a supero-temporal vortex vein. Choroidal ischemia induced proliferation or degerneration of the pigment epithelium, frequently accompanied by photoreceptor degeneration and circumscribed retinal detachment. Occlusion of retinal vessels resulted in posterior vitreous detachment and micro-cystoid degeneration in inner retinal layers, followed by retinal schisis. In combined retinal and choroidal ischemia long-lasting retinal detachments regularly developed.