Experimental mouse ocular hypertension: Establishment of the model

PURPOSE. To establish an experimental model of ocular hypertension in the mouse. METHODS. Twenty-two black Swiss mice were used. After anesthesia and pupil dilation, the anterior chamber was flattened by the aspiration of aqueous humor. Laser photocoagulation (532-nm wavelength, 200-mW power, 0.05-second duration, 200-mum spot size) then was performed at the limbus. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured weekly. for 4 weeks and biweekly for 12 weeks, by a microneedle method. Slit lamp biomicroscopy was performed throughout the period and the structural changes were assessed histologically. A treatment response was considered to be a success if either the mean of IOP measurements collected during the first 4 weeks was increased by 30% or more, or the mean of all measurements collected during the 12 week study period was increased by 30% or more. RESULTS. Laser-treated eyes showed significantly higher IOP than control eyes from 1 to 6 weeks (P < 0.001). The average IOP in treated eyes during the first,4 and 12 weeks was significantly higher than the control IOP (P < 0.001). These IOP increases were 7.1 and 3.8 mm Hg, respectively. During the first 4 weeks, sustained elevation of IOP was obtained in 64% (14/22) of the treated eyes. During the entire 12-week study, increased IOP was successfully maintained in 37% (7/19) of the treated eyes. After 6 weeks, elevated IOP often returned to normal or several turn Hg below normal. Histologic analysis at the end of the 12-week study showed no inflammatory cells in the anterior segment and confirmed that the angle was closed by the laser photocoagulation treatment. CONCLUSIONS. This method produces persistent IOP elevation in mouse eyes and may be a promising experimental model for the investigation of the biological mechanisms of glaucomatous optic neuropathy.