Table 1.

Advantages and limitations of different animal models of retinal ischemia.

Animal model	Advantages	Limitations
Elevation of intraocular pressure	Temporary and reversible; easy to create and reproduce; minimal requirement of surgery or special equipments	High IOP can cause damage
Middle cerebral artery occlusion	Transient (can study reperfusion); reproducible	Requires specialized skills; incomplete ischemia; alter blood flow to the brain
Chronic carotid occlusion	Reproducible; easy	Variable damage; permanent ischemia
Photothrombosis of retinal vessels	Simple	Variable degrees of exposure and variable damage; permanent ischemia; free-radical damage
Occlusion of central retinal artery	Complete retinal ischemia	–
Endothelin administration	No inflammation or infection	Can enter systemic circulation