Effect of topical epinephrine and timolol on ocular and optic nerve blood flow in phakic and aphakic rabbit eyes

Abstract

The effects of 4% epinephrine bitartrate and 0.5% timolol on ocular and optic nerve blood flow were studied in phakic and aphakic rabbit eyes using a radioactive microsphere (85Sr) technique. Either epinephrine or timolol was given topically as eight drops in the hour immediately preceding blood flow measurements (one drop every 7.5 minutes). Epinephrine decreased anterior uveal blood flow in both phakic and aphakic eyes, whereas timolol exhibited no effect. Retinal and choroidal blood flow were not affected by either timolol or epinephrine in phakic eyes. In aphakic eyes, epinephrine increased choroidal blood flow without altering retinal blood flow, whereas timolol increased both retinal and choroidal blood flow. Optic nerve blood flow was increased in epinephrine treated phakic and aphakic eyes and also in timolol treated aphakic eyes.