The correcting influence of the locus ceruleus on ophthalmic hypertension of hypothalamic origin.

Chronic experiments were performed on rabbits to study changes in intraocular pressure, the coefficient of flow conductivity, and the chamber fluid minute volume during chronic emotional stress induced by long-lasting repeated electrical stimulation of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus alone and in combination with electrical stimulation of the locus ceruleus and central gray matter of the periacqueductal matter. Stimulation of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus was accompanied by an increase in intraocular pressure, an increase in the production of eye chamber fluid, and a decrease in the coefficient of flow conductivity. Electrical stimulation of the locus ceruleus and central gray matter of the periacqueductal matter led to less marked increases in intraocular pressure. Combined stimulation of the hypothalamus and locus ceruleus led to normalization of intraocular pressure due to a reduction in the volume of chamber fluid and an increase in the coefficient of flow conductivity.