Susceptibility of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat retinal function and ocular blood flow to acute intraocular pressure challenge

Abstract

PURPOSE. To consider the hypothesis that streptozotocin (STZ)- induced hyperglycemia renders rat retinal function and ocular blood flow more susceptible to acute IOP challenge. METHODS. Retinal function (electroretinogram [ERG]) was measured during acute IOP challenge (10-100 mm Hg, increments of 5 mm Hg, 3 minutes per step, vitreal cannulation) in adult Long-Evans rats (6 weeks old; citrate: n =6, STZ: n=10) 4 weeks after citrate buffer or STZ (65 mg/kg, blood glucose >15 mM) injection. At each IOP, dim and bright flash (-4.56,-1.72 log cd.s.m-2) ERG responses were recorded to measure inner retinal and ON-bipolar cell function, respectively. Ocular blood flow (laser Doppler flowmetry; citra..