Fig. 5.

The hematoxylin-eosin staining results (a, ×200) showed normal retina structure and CNV on days 3, 7, and 14 after laser induction. CNV thickness was measured vertically from the adjacent RPE layer to the top of the CNV, and CNV length was measured as horizontal maximum distance of CNV (red arrows). b CNV thickness significantly increased on days 7 and 14 compared to day 3 after laser induction. c The CNV area measured by choroidal flatmounts. d CNV area significantly increased on days 7 and 14 compared to day 3 after laser induction. The area is the largest on day 7. e IL-7 was negatively related to the CNV area on day 14 (r = −0.938, p = 0.006). Data are presented as mean + SEM, n = 6 for each time point. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.001. GCL, ganglion cells layer; INL, inner nuclear layer; ONL, optic nerve layer; RPE, retina pigment epithelium; CHO, choroid; CNV, choroidal neovascularization.