Oxygen-induced retinopathy in newborn kittens. A model for ischemic vasoproliferative retinopathy.

Fourteen kittens were reared in 80% oxygen for 65-72 hr, after which they were returned to room air. At that time, funduscopic examination of all the kittens showed complete obliteration of the retinal vasculature and even optic disc vessels. In the following 18-21 days, florid preretinal new vessels were found growing into the vitreous from the revascularized retina and from the optic disc itself. Subsequent histologic examinations confirmed the above clinical findings and reinforced the authors to suggest this animal model as a future research tool for ischemic vasoproliferative retinopathy, rather than a model for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The similarities and dissimilarities between this animal model and the human ischemic retinal disease are discussed.