[Experimental study of the problem of retinal ischemia (author's transl)]

Survival and revival time of the retina in animal experiments are essentially dependent upon whether total ischemia occurs or not. Using the so-called barbiturate effect in the electroretinogram as a functional criterion, complete ischemia can be shown to take place in rabbit and cat at intraocular pressures of 100 mm Hg. At somewhat lower pressures, which already cause alterations of the ERG a remarked barbiturate effect can be observed, indicating the persistance of a certain amount of remaining blood flow. Possible mechanisms of the barbiturate effect in the retina are discussed.