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Brooks Air Force Base, TX

Protocol - 2003-17 - Long-term assessment of oculomotor, morphological, and visual function changes after laser exposure

 

Title:

Long-term assessment of oculomotor, morphological, and visual function changes after laser exposure: Effects of acute and cumulative laser retinal exposure and treatment in Rhesus monkey

Research Category:

M8: Laser Research

FY: 2003 Funding (in dollars):

316,000

Responsible Organization:	AIR FORCE RESEARCH LAB/BROOKS
Primary Contact:	Public Affairs Office
City:	Brooks City-Base
State:	TX
Zip:	78235-5116

Performing Organization:	See Responsible Organization Information
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State:
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Keywords:

LABORATORY ANIMALS LASER LASER EYE DAMAGE OPHTHALMOSCOPE LASER OPHTHALMOSCOPE Q-SWITCHED LASER RETINAL IMAGING FUNDOSCOPY CSLO VISIBLE LASERS

Objective:

The two main objectives of this project were (1) to develop an in vivo animal model of laser-induced retinal damage due to acute and cumulative laser exposure (sub- and supra-threshold), and treatment evaluation using the confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (cSLO), and; (2) to provide the capability of evaluating damage models for frequency agile lasers.

Approach:

Previous research by this Navy laboratory developed a technique to simultaneously evaluate visual function (contrast sensitivity and acuity), retinal morphology (cellular and vascular structures) and behavior in an awake animal prior to, during, and subsequent to lesion-inducing laser exposures. This project was to include long-term, low-level exposure modeling and treatment protocols with multiple frequencies. In Exp I, three animals were trained in an operant conditioning task to respond after they detected a change in the target stimulus. Animals were trained until they reached criterion performance (average 80% correct across trials at 100% contrast). Animals were to be exposed to repeated off-axis foveal laser light at levels at and slightly above the current Maximum Permissible Exposure limit using a Q-switched Neodynium:Yag laser (532nm). Proper eye alignment for the laser exposure is ensured by training subjects to hold their eyes steady on the target stimulus (a high contrast, small target that stays static for up to 10 s) for the duration of the trial. Additional animals were to be trained using the same operant conditioning procedure for accomplishing the second objective of the study to test if laser-induced retinal damage is frequency dependent, and if therefore retinal damage mechanisms and treatment requirements are likely to vary. Experimental data was to be collected on visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, task performance and maculopathy.

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Rats, mice, birds, amphibians and other animals have been excluded from coverage by the Animal Welfare Act. Therefore research facility reports do not include these animals. As a result of this situation, a blank report, or one with few animals listed, does not mean that a facility has not performed experiments on non-reportable animals. A blank form does mean that the facility in question has not used covered animals (primates, dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, pigs, sheep, goats, etc.). Rats and mice alone are believed to comprise over 90% of the animals used in experimentation. Therefore the majority of animals used at research facilities are not even counted.