A modified isolated retina-nerve preparation for pharmacological analysis of mammalian photoreceptor function

A modified isolated retina-optic nerve preparation is described that is suitable for the pharmacologic analysis of photoreceptor activity and other aspects of retinal function. The preparation, which emphasizes the extracellular recording of photoreceptor activity, is particularly suited for experiments of long duration with frequent manipulation of the solution environment of the tissue preparation. Control of the experimental variables, such as intensity of light stimuli, drug concentration and exposure time to drug, temperature, etc, offers considerable advantage to the investigator. Also of considerable advantage to the investigator is that a good index of photoreceptor function is attainable without the necessity of microelectrode penetration of the photoreceptor layer. Some interesting aspects of the retina as a tissue for study are pointed out that make it an inviting target for pharmacologic analysis.