Effects of Epinephrine on Retinal and Choroidal Blood Flow through Different Routes of Drug Administration

Epinephrine (1, 3 and 10 micrograms/kg) was found to increase retinal and choroidal blood flow (22, 49 and 67%) when it was administered intravenously. The increase in retinal and choroidal blood flow coincided well with the increase in systemic blood pressure (44, 65 and 96%, respectively). When epinephrine (2%) was instilled to the eyes topically the retinal and choroidal blood flow decreased (15%) while systemic blood pressure remained unchanged. It is suggested that the decrease in retinal and choroidal blood flow by topical epinephrine could be the cause of epinephrine maculopathy reported previously. L-Timolol (0.25%, topically) did not affect retinal and choroidal blood flow significantly.