CHANGES IN THE RETINA AND VISUAL PATHWAY FOLLOWING DOSES OF X-RAYS AT THERAPEUTIC LEVELS

摘要

Electrical measures of visual function were made at several points in the visual pathway of cats before and up to 64 hours after the delivery of 4,080 roentgens to one orbit. The contralateral eye was control. Results indicate that the ERG b-wave is the most highly sensitive signal to ionizing radiation. Responses relating to photopic function and transmission of information from the eye to the central nervous system was effected much less rapidly. Small changes of intraocular temperature indicrte increased blood-flow in the tissue of the experimental eye. The major change in blood flow occurred 8 hours after exposure and then returned toward normal.