Influence of antiglaucoma drugs on axonal transport in the optic nerve

Tritiated leucine injected into the vitreous of experimental animals was used for detection of the dynamics of axonal transport in the optic nerve in eyes with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Direct quantitative evaluation of axonal transport was performed by means of the liquid scintillation counter. Our results show that topical instillation of beta-blockers, pilocarpine and epinephrine have the most positive influence on the dynamics of axonal transport in eyes with increased IOP. There was a zero or negative influence of physostigmine, neostigmine, echothiophate and partially of clonidine (isoglaucon).