Retinal Oxygen Tension Is Higher in Light than Dark

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Abstract
The oxygen tension at the inner retinal surface in rabbits was measured with intraocular polarographic electrodes. In the air breathing rabbit, the oxygen tension is 21 ± 9 mm Hg (mean ± 1 SD, n = 6) in 12 foot-candles white light at the cornea. The oxygen tension falls 6 ± 2 mm Hg (mean ± 1 SD, n = 4, p < 0.02) in darkness. In bright white light (800 foot-candles), the retinal oxygen tension is about 6 mm Hg higher than at 12 foot-candles. The in vivo retinal oxygen consumption was calculated to be 2.4 ml O2/100 g/min in light and 2.6 ml O2/100 g/min in dark. The higher oxygen consumption is probably responsible for the lower oxygen tension of the retina in dark as compared to light. Breathing 100% oxygen elevates the preretinal oxygen tension to 190 ± 72 mm Hg (mean ± 1 SD, n = 4) in light.

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