Optic nerve transection in cats: effect on retinal vessels.

Unilateral optic nerve transection without damage to the intraocular circulation was performed on thirteen cats. Fluorescein angiograms, trypsin digestion, and histologic preparation of the retinas were carried out. No changes in the retinal circulation and angioarchitecture were observed. These findings were compared to those reported in humans with comparable optic nerve lesions. We conclude that optic nerve transection does not cause retinal vascular alteration and this fact may be of pertinence to posterior ocular damage in glaucoma.