Dextromethorphan Protects Retina Against Ischemic Injury In Vivo

Abstract
• Retinal ischemia was induced in rabbits by increasing intraocular pressure above systolic blood pressure for 60 or 75 minutes, and retinal function was monitored by electroretinography. Pretreatment with intravenous dextromethorphan, a nonprescription antitussive and selective antagonist of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, enhanced greatly the post-ischemic recovery of b-wave amplitude. Dextromethorphan may prove to be useful clinically in the management of retinal ischemic disease.