Recipient rats (P27-45, either sex) were randomized into age-matched non-surgery (AMC) (n=11), sham (n=7), and transplant (n=56) experimental groups.
Rats received a subcutaneous injection of Ketoprofen (4mg/kg) (Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ) and dexamethasone eye drops (Bausch & Lomb Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, CA) prior to anesthesia to prevent eyelid swelling. After ketamine/xylazine anesthesia (40-55 mg/kg Ket, 6.0 -7.5 mg/kg Xyl), pupils were dilated by 1% atropine eye drops (Akorn, Lake Forest IL).
Eyes were disinfected with ophthalmic betadine (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX). Nonsurgical eyes were kept moist by artificial tears (Akorn). During surgery, the eye was frequently treated with 0.5% tetracaine (Bausch & Lomb) and 0.1% dexamethasone eye drops (Bausch & Lomb).
Transplantation of retinal sheets has been previously described [39, 43] . Briefly, a small incision (~1 mm) was made posterior to pars plana, parallel to the limbus, followed by local retinal detachment. Using a custom implantation instrument, donor tissue was gently placed into the subretinal space of the left eye. Media alone was injected into the eyes of sham surgery rats. The incision was closed with 10-0 sutures. Eyes were examined by fundoscopy immediately after surgery. For recovery, gentamycin/polymycin/bacitracin ointment (Bausch & Lomb) was applied to the surgical eyes.
Rats received a subcutaneous injection of Ketoprofen (4mg/kg) (Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ) and dexamethasone eye drops (Bausch & Lomb Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, CA) prior to anesthesia to prevent eyelid swelling. After ketamine/xylazine anesthesia (40-55 mg/kg Ket, 6.0 -7.5 mg/kg Xyl), pupils were dilated by 1% atropine eye drops (Akorn, Lake Forest IL).
Eyes were disinfected with ophthalmic betadine (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX). Nonsurgical eyes were kept moist by artificial tears (Akorn). During surgery, the eye was frequently treated with 0.5% tetracaine (Bausch & Lomb) and 0.1% dexamethasone eye drops (Bausch & Lomb).
Transplantation of retinal sheets has been previously described [39, 43] . Briefly, a small incision (~1 mm) was made posterior to pars plana, parallel to the limbus, followed by local retinal detachment. Using a custom implantation instrument, donor tissue was gently placed into the subretinal space of the left eye. Media alone was injected into the eyes of sham surgery rats. The incision was closed with 10-0 sutures. Eyes were examined by fundoscopy immediately after surgery. For recovery, gentamycin/polymycin/bacitracin ointment (Bausch & Lomb) was applied to the surgical eyes.