Abstract: Objective To establish a standardized model of traumatic optic neuropathy in cats by using a standard clip and to simultaneously observe the changes in flash visual-evoked potential. Methods Ten adult healthy cats were enrolled in the study. The right eye was identified as the experimental eye; and the left eye, as the control eye. The optic nerves of the right eyes were clamped for 30 seconds to establish traumatic optic nerve injury models. The flash visual-evoked potential in was recorded in all experimental and control eyes at 1 hour, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after injury. The peak latency and amplitude of the main wave P100 were recorded, and a statistical analysis was performed. Results The flash visual evoked potential peak latency and amplitudes of the main wave P100 were no significant differences before operation, but there were significant differences after traumatic optic neuropathy between the two groups(P< 0.05). The flash visual evoked potential peak latency and amplitudes of the main wave P100 were no significant differences before operation(F=1.48, P=0.19; F=1.63, P=0.15). In the experimental group, there were statistically significant differences between the 1 hour after injury and 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after the injury(F=7.38, P=0.008 7; F=4.38, P=0.027). There were statistically significant differences between 3 days after the injury and 1 week,2 weeks and 4 weeks after the injury(F=6.49, P =0.019; F=3.97, P=0.036). There were statistically significant differences between 1 week after the injury and 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the injury(F=6.02, P=0.011; F=3.37, P=0.041).The peak latency of P100 was gradually extended, and the amplitude gradually decreased in the 2 weeks after the injury. After 2 weeks, it tended to be stable. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups after 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the injury(F=2.24, P=0.11; F=2.01, P=0.12). Conclusion The standardized cat model of traumatic optic neuropathy was successfully established by using the same clamp. The flash visual-evoked potential examination is the objective evaluation tool. The flash visual-evoked potential peak latency of the main wave P100 was significantly prolonged with a decreased amplitude, in the standardized cat model of traumatic optic neuropathy.

Key words: Optic nerve injury, Flash visual evoked potential, Clamp, Model