PURPOSE: To examine the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on induced choriocapillaris atrophy in vivo.

METHODS: Choriocapillaris atrophy was surgically induced in rabbits by a hydraulic retinal detachment followed by debridement of the retinal pigment epithelium under the detached retina. Three concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor (0.1 μg/0.1 ml, 1 μg/0.1 ml, or 5 μg/0.1 ml) were injected into the subretinal space and into the vitreous cavity 1, 3, and 5 days after the surgery. For control, only Tris buffer was injected in the same manner. The rabbits were euthanized 7 days after the surgery. Choroidal vascular casts were made and examined by scanning electron microscopy. The choriocapillaris atrophy was quantified by computer-assisted image analysis of photographs of the choriocapillaries. The area of the choriocapillaris and number of intercapillary spaces in the choriocapillaris that corresponded to the density of the capillary network were measured.

RESULTS: The average area of the choriocapillaris in the eyes treated with 1 μg/0.1 ml of basic fibroblast growth factor was significantly larger at 75.1 ± 3.0% than that in the control eyes at 67.2 ± 5.6% (P = .021). The average area of the choriocapillaris in the 0.1 μg/0.1 ml of basic fibroblast growth factor group was not statistically different from the control. The number of intercapillary spaces of the choriocapillaris was 132 ± 12 in the 0.1 μg/0.1 ml of basic fibroblast growth factor group, 124 ± 46 in the 1 μg/0.1 ml of basic fibroblast growth factor group, and 75 ± 14 in the control group. The higher number of spaces in the treated group was statistically significant (P = .026).

CONCLUSIONS: Basic fibroblast growth factor decreased the atrophy of the choriocapillaris after removal of the retinal pigment epithelium in rabbit eyes. These results suggest that basic fibroblast growth factor may play a role in the survival of the choriocapillaris in vivo.