Electrically Evoked Potentials Elicited By Intraorbital Electrical Stimulation Of The Optic Nerve In Rabbit Eyes

Objectives To explore electrically evoked potentials (EEPs) elicited by intraorbital electrical stimulation of the optic nerve in rabbit eyes and to determine influential factors of electrical thresholds needed to elicit EEPs. Methods Forty-eight pigmented rabbits were included in this study. Forty rabbits were undergone intravenous injection of sodium iodate. Intraorbital electrical stimulation of the optic nerve was performed at different time points after intravenous injection of sodium iodate and the waveforms of EEPs were recorded. Electrical thresholds were recorded. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate influential factors of electrical thresholds needed to elicit EEPs. Results Factors including stimulation positions of the optic nerve, stimulating electrodes, frequency and duration of electrical pulses and pathological status of the optic nerve could influence the electrical thresholds needed to elicit cortical responses. Conclusions Before designing an optic nerve prosthesis, more attentions should be paid to the factors mentioned above, especially pathological status of the optic nerve.