THE EFFECTS OF ACETAZOLAMIDE IN ALBINO RABBITS, PIGMENTED RABBITS, AND HUMANS

In three separate experiments albino rabbits, pigmented rabbits, and h umans were tested following administration of acetazolamide and withou t acetazolamide. In all three experiments, we recorded electroretinogr ams (ERGs) under dark adapted and light adapted conditions and measure d the b-wave amplitudes. Dark adapted ERG b-wave amplitudes were incre ased following administration of acetazolamide as compared to control conditions, in albino rabbits, pigmented rabbits and humans. Light ada pted b-wave amplitudes showed no statistically significant changes as a function of acetazolamide administration although in all three exper iments there was a trend toward light adapted b-wave amplitude reducti on following administration of acetazolamide. In the human experiments , ERG a-wave amplitudes were also measured. Light adapted a-wave ampli tudes were reduced following administration of acetazolamide. In the h uman experiments, several behavioral tests were performed, including L 'Anthony desaturated D-15, Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue, Cogan-Gunkel ch romatograph, Nagel anomaloscope, Goldmann-Weekers dark adaptometry. Th ere were no consistent changes in the human dark adaptation thresholds or color discrimination, although several measures approached signifi cance.