The perfused cat eye: a model in neurobiologic research.

The viability of an arterially perfused mammalian eye preparation is demonstrated in (1) electrophysiological recordings of multineuronal responses (electroretinogram, optic nerve action potential) as well as of signals from single cells (ganglion cells, horizontal cells, pigment epithelium), and (2) in a quantitative analysis of the fine structure of the retina. The possibilities of assessing the function of the retina at several levels of information processing and of controlling the biochemical input without systemic effects favor pharmacologic studies in vitro. Results from our research on cholinergic transmission in the cat retina are presented, revealing reversible effects of physostigmine, atropine, scopolamine and mecamylamine on the activity of ganglion cells.