The relationship between the c-wave and light response of the rabbit eye

The rabbit c-wave and light response (LR) of the standing potential were recorded simultaneously while presenting the eye with light flashes at 15 sec intervals. The LR peaked about 15 min after the onset of flashes, but the c-wave amplitude remained constant after the first min of stimulation. Elimination of pigment epithelial activity with intravenous sodium iodate blocked both the c-wave and LR. Elimination of inner retinal activity with intravitreal aspartic acid blocked neither. These results are consistent with those from other mammals insofar as the pigment epithelium is required for both c-wave and LR, but differ from other species in two respects: (1) the rabbit LR is not sensitive to aspartate; (2) the rabbit c-wave does not vary in amplitude with the LR.