title: Flicker evoked increase in optic nerve head blood flow in anesthetized cats.
abstract: The effect of diffuse luminance flicker stimulation of a large area (approximately 30 degrees diameter) on red blood cell flux (F) in the optic nerve head was measured in the anesthetized cat. F increased markedly during sustained flicker. The F-response to the initiation and cessation of the stimulation was found to occur within a few seconds. Upon sustained stimulation, the increase in F reached a plateau within approximately 2 min. Its level depended upon the intensity, frequency and wavelength of the stimulation and the state of adaptation of the retina. This stimulus offers a new and powerful means of investigating blood flow regulation in the optic nerve head (ONH).
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, Department of Ophthalmology, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harino
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Shonat
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Petrig
mesh_terms: D000221:Adaptation, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D000758:Anesthesia; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000098:blood supply*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology