Objective To explore the correlation between retinal extracellular edema and vitreous contraction in rabbits. Methods Seventeen pigmented rabbit models with retinal vein occlusion (RVO)was set up by laser photocoagulation. Retinal vascularity area was pathologically examined 1 month later.The vitreous gellength under the gravity condition and the percentage of its weight in the rabbits with extraeellular edema was observed. The mechanisms were investigated by Western immunoblotting of type II collagen.Results Extracellular edema was found in 13 experimental eyes 1 month after the formation of RVO (76.5~) with contracted vitreous gel and released watery liquid, and the a component of type II collagen was cross-linked together to form high-molecular-weight components of 1] and 7, which weakened the stability of collagen net structure.Conclusions Vitreous contraction and retinal extracellular edemawere correlated. The main reason may be the cross-links of vitreous collagen that damages the stability of collagen structure. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：2-32)

Citation： MA Jin,WU Dezheng,GAO Rulong. Relationship between retinal extracellular edema and vitreous contraction in rabbits. Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases, 2004, 20(1): 29-32. doi: Copy