The effects of acetazolamide in albino rabbits, pigmented rabbits, and humans

Abstract In three separate experiments albino rabbits, pigmented rabbits, and humans were tested following administration of acetazolamide and without acetazolamide. In all three experiments, we recorded electroretinograms (ERGs) under dark adapted and light adapted conditions and measured the b -wave amplitudes. Dark adapted ERG b -wave amplitudes were increased following administration of acetazolamide as compared to control conditions, in albino rabbits, pigmented rabbits and humans. Light adapted b -wave amplitudes showed no statistically significant changes as a function of acetazolamide administration although in all three experiments there was a trend toward light adapted b -wave amplitude reduction following administration of acetazolamide. In the human experiments, ERG a -wave amplitudes were also measured. Light adapted a -wave amplitudes were reduced following administration of acetazolamide. In the human experiments, several behavioral tests were performed, including L' Anthony desaturated D-15, Farnsworth-Munseu 100 hue, Cogan-Gunkel chromatograph, Nagel anomaloscope, Goldmann-Weckers dark adaptometry. There were no consistent changes in the human dark adaptation thresholds or color discrimination, although several measures approached significance.