Ocular effects of alpha 2-adrenoceptor activation in anesthetized cats

The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of direct administration of the selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulant, B-HT 933, on choroidal blood flow, intraocular pressure and pupil size in anesthetized cats. Anterior segment choroidal blood flow was measured using laser-Doppler flowmetry. B-HT 933 administered by intra-arterial, topical and intracameral routes produced a significant depression of ocular blood flow which was largely abolished by pretreatment with rauwolscine. B-HT 933 did not lower IOP in any of these preparations. The largest doses of B-HT 933 caused a modest mydriasis when given intracamerally. However, this pupillary dilation was not blocked by rauwolscine. These results demonstrate that alpha 2-adrenoceptor activation can produce pronounced depression of anterior segment choroidal blood flow but does not cause a concomitant lowering of IOP or mydriasis in anesthetized cats.