Influence of sex on neuroretinal degeneration: Six-month follow-up in rats with chronic glaucoma

Abstract

PURPOSE. To evaluate differences by sex in the neuroretina of rats with chronic glaucoma over 24 weeks of follow-up, and to assess by sex the influence on neurodegeneration of different methods of inducing ocular hypertension. METHODS. Forty-six Long-Evans rats-18 males and 28 females-with induced chronic glaucoma were analyzed. Glaucoma was achieved via 2 models: Repeatedly sclerosing the episcleral veins (9 male/14 female) or by injecting poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres measuring 20 to 10 μm (Ms20/10) into the anterior chamber (9 male/14 female). The IOP was measured weekly by tonometer; neuroretinal function was recorded by dark/light-adapted electroretinography at baseline and weeks 12 and 24; and structure was analyzed by optical coherence tomography using the retina posterior pole, retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer protocols at baseline and weeks 8, 12, 18, and 24.