Optometry and Vision Sciences - Research Publications

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    Identifying Cell Class Specific Losses from Serially Generated Electroretinogram Components
    Nguyen, CTO ; Vingrys, AJ ; Wong, VHY ; Bui, BV (HINDAWI LTD, 2013)
    PURPOSE: Processing of information through the cellular layers of the retina occurs in a serial manner. In the electroretinogram (ERG), this complicates interpretation of inner retinal changes as dysfunction may arise from "upstream" neurons or may indicate a direct loss to that neural generator. We propose an approach that addresses this issue by defining ERG gain relationships. METHODS: Regression analyses between two serial ERG parameters in a control cohort of rats are used to define gain relationships. These gains are then applied to two models of retinal disease. RESULTS: The PIII(amp) to PII(amp) gain is unity whereas the PII(amp) to pSTR(amp) and PII(amp) to nSTR(amp) gains are greater than unity, indicating "amplification" (P < 0.05). Timing relationships show amplification between PIII(it) to PII(it) and compression for PII(it) to pSTR(it) and PII(it) to nSTR(it), (P < 0.05). Application of these gains to ω-3-deficiency indicates that all timing changes are downstream of photoreceptor changes, but a direct pSTR amplitude loss occurs (P < 0.05). Application to diabetes indicates widespread inner retinal dysfunction which cannot be attributed to outer retinal changes (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This simple approach aids in the interpretation of inner retinal ERG changes by taking into account gain characteristics found between successive ERG components of normal animals.
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    Using the Electroretinogram to Understand How Intraocular Pressure Elevation Affects the Rat Retina
    Bui, BV ; He, Z ; Vingrys, AJ ; Nguyen, CTO ; Wong, VHY ; Fortune, B (HINDAWI LTD, 2013)
    Intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation is a key risk factor for glaucoma. Our understanding of the effect that IOP elevation has on the eye has been greatly enhanced by the application of the electroretinogram (ERG). In this paper, we describe how the ERG in the rodent eye is affected by changes in IOP magnitude, duration, and number of spikes. We consider how the variables of blood pressure and age can modify the effect of IOP elevation on the ERG. Finally, we contrast the effects that acute and chronic IOP elevation can have on the rodent ERG.
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    Susceptibility of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rat Retinal Function and Ocular Blood Flow to Acute Intraocular Pressure Challenge
    Wong, VHY ; Vingrys, AJ ; Jobling, AI ; Bui, BV (ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, 2013-03)
    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 (10100 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 x s x m(-2)) ERG responses were recorded to measure inner retinal and ON-bipolar cell function, respectively. Ocular blood flow (laser Doppler flowmetry; citrate: n = 6, STZ: n = 10) was also measured during acute IOP challenge. Retinas were isolated for quantitative PCR analysis of nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression (endothelial, eNos; inducible, iNos; neuronal, nNos). RESULTS: STZ-induced diabetes increased the susceptibility of inner retinal (IOP at 50% response, 60.1, CI: 57.0-62.0 mm Hg versus citrate: 67.5, CI: 62.1-72.4 mm Hg) and ON-bipolar cell function (STZ: 60.3, CI: 58.0-62.8 mm Hg versus citrate: 65.1, CI: 61.9-68.6 mm Hg) and ocular blood flow (43.9, CI: 40.8-46.8 versus citrate: 53.4, CI: 50.7-56.1 mm Hg) to IOP challenge. Citrate eyes showed elevated eNos mRNA (+49.7%) after IOP stress, an effect not found in STZ-diabetic eyes (-5.7%, P < 0.03). No difference was observed for iNos or nNos (P > 0.05) following IOP elevation. CONCLUSIONS: STZ-induced diabetes increased functional susceptibility during acute IOP challenge. This functional vulnerability is associated with a reduced capacity for diabetic eyes to upregulate eNos expression and to autoregulate blood flow in response to stress.