The retinal vessel calibre responses to systemic autonomic stimulation were studied in fellow eyes of 11 patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and 10 patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), using sustained isometric muscle contraction as the stimulus. These vessel responses were compared to those of a control group of 11 subjects of similar ages. The changes in retinal vessel calibre were measured using the Quantimet Image Analyser. There was no significant difference in mean arteriolar constriction during isometric muscle contraction (mean +/- SEM) between the CRVO group (6.0 +/- 1.34%) and the BRVO group (5.4 +/- 0.31%), (p greater than 0.05), and between either of these groups compared with the control group (7.4 +/- 1.20%), (p greater than 0.50). Similarly there was no significant difference in mean venule responses between the groups (CRVO 4.9 +/- 0.48%; BRVO 4.6 +/- 0.63%; control subjects 3.8 +/- 0.90%; p greater than 0.05). The diastolic blood pressure responses were similarly not significantly different between the 3 groups (CRVO 22.3 +/- 1.27, range + 17 to 29 mmHg; BRVO 25.8 +/- 2.9 mmHg, range 18 to 45 mmHg; control subjects 21.3 +/- 1.7 mmHg, range 16 to 35 mmHg), (p greater than 0.10). The implications of the results are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The prevalence of autonomic neuropathy in the primary glaucomas.

The results of systemic autonomic nerve function studies in patients with closed-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension are reviewed. Autonomic neuropathy has been demonstrated in 58% of patients with closed-angle glaucoma and 42% of ocular hypertensive subjects, with significantly increased prevalence in ocular hypertensives with narrow iridocorneal angles. The implications are discussed, with particular reference to the pathogenesis of raised intraocular pressure.

Autonomic Nervous System↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Decreased skin wrinkling in diabetes mellitus.

Skin wrinkling, which may be dependent on peripheral autonomic innervation, was assessed in 100 normal and 42 diabetic subjects using a temperature-controlled water bath with immersion of the hands for 30 min. Markedly decreased skin wrinkling was observed in diabetic subjects and in manual workers, but did not correlate with cardiovascular tests of autonomic function, control, type or duration of diabetes, or diabetic complications. The cause of decreased skin wrinkling in people with diabetes is unexplained.

Adult↗