A study of retinal penetration of intravitreal tenecteplase in pigs

Abstract

PURPOSE. To determine the degree of retinal penetration of intravitreal tenecteplase in a porcine model. METHODS. Fluorescence-tagged tenecteplase (50 μg in 0.1 mL physiologic saline) was injected into the vitreous of the right and left eyes at 24 and 6 hours before death, respectively, in six nonvitrectomized pigs. Retinal penetration was assessed on frozen sections by epifluorescence microscopy and statistical analysis was performed. Frozen sections of two eyes without injection (control) were also assessed. RESULTS. Labeling of fluorescence-tagged tenecteplase was seen in all the layers of the retina at both time points with more intense signal at 24 hours after injection (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS. Fluorescence-tagged tenecteplase can penetrate all the layers of the retina of porcine eyes after intravitreal injection. Intravitreal tenecteplase may be useful in the in the management of subretinal hemorrhage. Copyright © Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.