Effect of glucose added to intraocular irrigating solutions on the rabbit electroretinogram in vitro.

The most adequate concentration of glucose in intraocular irrigating solution for the retina was studied electrophysiologically in the pigmented rabbit in vitro. Comparison of b-wave amplitudes demonstrated that glucose at a concentration of 20 mM/l yielded the highest values. A 40 mM/l glucose solution also increased the b-waves but to a lesser extent than did a solution of 20 mM/l. This result might be due to the detrimental effects of osmolarity. However, under hypoxic conditions the amplitudes of the b-wave obtained with 40 mM/l glucose solution was greater than those with 20 mM/l. It thus appears that slight hyperglycemic concentrations might have favorable effects on the ischemic retina.