Qualitative observations on the variation of light induced damage to the rabbit retina.

The retinae of anaesthetised Dutch rabbits were exposed to light of various known intensities for one hour. Immediately after exposure the animals were killed and retinal and choroidal tissues were taken for investigation by electron microscopy from selected sited with the previously illuminated area. Initial qualitative observations suggested that a considerable variation in the degree of cellular damage had occurred even within retinal and choroidal tissues taken from the same eye. This variability of damage appeared to be related to intensity of illumination and patency of the choroidal vasculature. The mechanisms which could be underlying this variation of damage and possible methods of quantification are discussed.