Morphological and microstructural changes in the eye and the brain in an experimental glaucoma model induced by crosslinking hydrogel injection

Abstract

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world and is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease of the visual system. To date, limited models have been available to provide sustained intraocular pressure elevation while keeping a clear visual axis for normal visual input to the eye. In this study, we characterized a novel experimental glaucoma model in rats using a crosslinking hydrogel that gives sustained intraocular pressure elevation and a transparent medium after intracameral injection. In vivo anatomical MRI, magic angle-enhanced MRI and diffusion tensor imaging were employed to determine the morphological and microstructural changes in the whole eye and the brain in this model.