Fig 4. Histological analysis of rat retina confirms protection from light damage.

Vehicle or Saline treated (Vehicle LD) rats lost most of their photoreceptors from the central retina. Effect is more pronounced in the superior retina. NLD is non-light-damage control. Fig 4A shows the ONL thickness across the retina in the vertical meridian. PBN treatment (PBN LD) retinas retained ~90% of photoreceptor cells. 4-CF₃-PBN is comparable to PBN in protection, whereas 4-F-PBN appears better than PBN. 4-CH₃-PBN also protects the retina significantly, although its effect is slightly less than PBN. Fig 4B shows central retinal outer retinal layer (ONL) thickness in both inferior and superior retina. [** = p<0.001; n = 8–10]