EFFECTS OF CARTEOLOL ON THE ELECTRORETINOGRAM IN THE PERFUSED CAT EYE

Carteolol, a nonselective beta-antagonist, was administered intra-arte rially in perfused cat eyes. Carteolol increased both photopic and sco topic electroretinogram b-wave amplitude dose-dependently and reversib ly, but carteolol failed to induce significant changes in the flow rat e of perfusate. This study suggests that carteolol may increase select ively the retinal perfusion flow rate, though it did not reflect the t otal perfusion flow, or carteolol may have an interaction with retinal beta-adrenergic receptors related to the origin of the b-wave. These ideas are supported by carteolol's intrinsic sympathomimetic activity and effects on endothelium of vessels.