Abstract
The effect of an elevation of the intraocular pressure on the slowly moving axonal protein flow within the retinal ganglion cells was studied in six rhesus monkeys. Unilateral elevation of the intraocular pressure was obtained by an intracameral infection of alpha-chymotrypsin. There was a marked initial reduction of slow axonal flow into the optic nerve of the affected eye, followed by a recovery of flow as intraocular pressure returned toward normal. Reduction in slow axonal flow was noted even with minor elevations in intraocular pressure. A portion of this obstructed flow appeared to accumulate within the retina. It has not yet been determined whether this inverse relationship between intraocular pressure elevation and slow axonal protein flow relates to pressure, ischemia, or both effects upon the retinal ganglion cell axons.