Normative retinal thicknesses in common animal models of eye disease using spectral domain optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Purpose This study demonstrates a standardized approach to measuring retinal thickness (RT) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in commonly used animal models of disease and reports a normative data set for future use. Materials and Methods Twenty normal eyes of 4 adult animal models (5 rats, 5 rabbits, 5 canines, and 5 mini-pigs) were used. Manual measurements were made on the commercially available Heidelberg Spectralis™ SD-OCT to determine the total, inner, and outer retinal thickness (RT) at fixed distances from the optic nerve head (ONH) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm away) in order to control for normal variation in retinal thickness. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with P value <0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results Total RT significantly decreased with increasing distance from the ONH for the canine, mini-pig, and rabbit vascular models. Inner RT significantly decreased for the canine, mini-pig, rabbit vascular, and rabbit avascular models; and outer RT significantly decreased for only the canine model. Among the animal models, RT at similar distances from the ONH were significantly different for total, inner, and outer RT. Conclusion There are significant differences in the total, inner, and outer RT of normal canine, mini-pig, rabbit, and rat retinas with SD-OCT using a standardized approach. These measurements provide a normative reference for future studies and illustrate a standardized method of assessing RT.