[5] Dissection of retinas for biochemical studies

This chapter discusses the dissection of retinas for Biochemical studies. Dissection of the retina is best accomplished with an enucleated eye, using a stereo-zoom dissecting microscope and surgical instruments. The same procedure is applicable whether dissection is performed in full laboratory illumination or in darkness with the aid of infrared lighting and an image converter. This chapter illustrates that before starting the dissection procedure, the following items should be assembled: a pair of fine microdissecting scissors with spring handle, two pairs of forceps, petri dishes, and paper towels for cleaning of forceps. Eyes of experimental animals vary greatly in size (for example, mice, dogs, and cattle). For large bovine eyes from which isolated retinal rod outer segments are to be prepared, a rapid and effective technique is employed that is different from that for dissecting intact retinas from smaller eyes. Without the aid of a microscope, a bovine eye is cut with a pair of large surgical scissors or wide razor blade, from the era serrata, posteriorally on a line near the optic nerve and terminating at the era serrata on the opposite side of the eye.