Heterogeneity of endothelium-dependent regulation in ophthalmic and ciliary arteries.

Abstract

Thus endothelium-derived vasoactive substances are potent regulators of porcine extraocular ophthalmic circulation. Their effects increase with decreasing vascular diameter, suggesting an important role of NO and endothelin-1 in the regulation of ophthalmic circulation. A dysfunction of these regulatory mechanisms could have implications about the pathogenesis of ophthalmic complications seen in diabetes, hypertension, and in certain forms of glaucoma associated with ocular vasospasms.