Wide-field laser ophthalmoscopy for mice: a novel evaluation system for retinal/choroidal angiogenesis in mice.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the application of wide-field laser ophthalmoscopy (Optos) for the evaluation of established models of angiogenesis and the healthy retina in mice.

Methods: To investigate whether angiogenesis and leakage in the retina and choroid can be evaluated with Optos, we used two models of angiogenesis: oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) and laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Fundus imaging and fluorescein angiography (FAG) were performed with the Optos system without a contact lens. Furthermore, to evaluate in vivo leukocyte infiltration in these models, we injected acridine orange (AO) and performed imaging using Optos.

Results: In vivo fundus imaging with Optos did not require any additional optical device. Additionally, Optos enabled us to repeatedly obtain high-resolution color images and FAG images in the OIR model as well as in the CNV model in mice. Through a combination of Optos imaging and AO fluorography, the number and location of the infiltrating leukocytes could be identified in these models.

Conclusions: Optos is a wide-viewing imaging tool for the noninvasive in vivo evaluation of common angiogenesis models, oxygen-induced retinopathy and laser-induced choroidal neovascularization, as well as the healthy retina in mice.