Modeling transient retinal ischemia in mouse by ligation of pterygopalatine artery

Background: Retinal ischemia is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness worldwide. The available therapeutic strategies have limited potential. Purpose: In order to understand the pathophysiology and validating therapies for retinal ischemia, establishment of reproducible animal models is necessary. Methods: In the model discussed in this article, the pterygopalatine artery (PPA) is ligated along with the external carotid artery for 3.5 hours and thereafter allowed to reperfuse. Because PPA supplies the blood to the ophthalmic artery, the ligation of this artery causes retinal ischemia. Results: This article describes the validation of retinal ischemia-reperfusion model in mouse through PPA ligation and its validation through fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) and immunofluorescence staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a glial injury marker. Conclusions: In conclusion this article describes the creation of mouse model of retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury which can be reproduced in a shorter time duration resulting in reduced mortality.