Fig. 6

In vivo multimodal ophthalmic follow up of rabbit eyes injected with 7 wt% EPT5-1 T gels up to 3 months. A Ophthalmic multi-imaging assessments of one representative case of 7 wt% EPT gel. Column I, slit-lamp overview assessment showed negligible inflammation in the anterior chamber. Column II, color fundus images showed deposition of injected EPT gel at the inferior of the vitreous cavity (white dot lines). EPT gel was slightly opaque and blocked the view of fundus vessels. Column III, Infrared fundus images (820 nm wavelength) indicated that semi-opaque gels cast a black shadow on the fundus whilst floating in the vitreous cavity. White lines indicated the position where the OCT scans were taken. Column IV, cross section of retinal layers on OCT demonstrated normal retinal structures with the gel in-situ. B Quantification of full retinal thickness. Data represented as the mean ± SD, statistical analysis was performed using paired t test, P = 0.5072. C Histology (H&E) images confirmed normal retinal structures in 7 wt% EPT filled eyes compared to non-operated control. Upper panel was the overview of the retinal sample, while lower panel was the representative region in higher magnification. Black triangles indicate processing artifacts during the histology sample preparation. D Full field electroretinography (ERG) indicates preservation of visual function in a rabbit eye filled with 7 wt% EPT, with the contralateral eye as non-operated control. Scale bars,1 mm in infrared fundus, 200 µm in OCT, 50 µm in H&E upper panel, 10 µm in H&E lower panel. GCL = ganglion cell layer, INL = inner nuclear layer, ONL = outer nuclear layer, OPL = outer plexiform layer, ELM = external limiting membrane, EZ = ellipsoid zone, OS/IS = outer segment/ inner segment, RPE = retinal pigment epithelium