The fast oscillation of the electrooculogram reveals sensitivity of the human outer retina/retinal pigment epithelium to glucose level.
The effect of acute blood glucose elevations on human outer retinal function was examined. Electrooculograms were recorded as the background light cycled on/off with a 2-min period, eliciting rapid changes in the corneo-retinal standing potential known as the fast-oscillation of the electrooculogram. Recordings were made while subjects fasted and after they consumed 100 g of D-glucose. In all subjects, blood glucose levels strongly affected fast oscillation amplitude, which reflects photoreceptor-driven changes in RPE cell chloride concentration. The sensitivity of RPE metabolism to glucose fluctuations may relate to changes in the blood-retinal barrier that are known to occur in diabetes (e.g. macular edema).
Schneck
M E
ME
Visual Sciences Program, School of Optometry, University of California, 94720-2020, Berkeley, CA, USA. mes@spectacle.berkeley.edu
Fortune
B
B
Adams
A J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001813:Blood-Retinal Barrier / Q000502:physiology*; D004585:Electrooculography / Q000187:drug effects; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D017136:Ion Transport; D008029:Lighting; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005947:Glucose