[Immunohistochemical localization of blood-retinal barrier breakdown after argon laser photocoagulation in the monkey retina].

Retinal photocoagulation induces breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB), but the site of the breakdown is not precisely known. The breakdown and repair of BRB following argon laser photocoagulation were studied in the monkey retina by immunohistochemical localization of serum albumin. Argon laser photocoagulation was performed to obtain ordinary burns as in human use. 1, 3, and 7 days after photocoagulation, serum albumin was observed in the outer retina and retinal pigment epithelium, but not around the retinal blood vessels. The immunostaining disappeared within 14 and 28 days after photocoagulation. The results of this study suggest that photocoagulation induces local breakdown of the outer BRB and that the breakdown is repaired within 14 days.