AIM: To study the role of nitric oxide(NO)and γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)in the formation of amblyopia by establishing 2 different types of amblyopic models.

METHODS:A total of 18 aged 3-week kittens were randomly divided into monocular deprivation, strabismus and normal groups. All types of amblyopia were developed in the experimental eyes that were detected by P-VEP 12wk later. The cats were killed and the immunocytochemistry staining method were applied to observe under the light microscope the changes of distribution and positive cells areas of NO and GABA across the amblyopic retinal, compared to that from the normal cats of identical age.

RESULTS: The P-VEP showed that the amplitude of wave P1 was lower(P<0.05)and the P1 latent time was longer(P<0.05)in two types of amblyopic cats than those in the normal cats. Compared to the normal cats, the NO and GABA positive cells areas were obviously reduced(P<0.05)across the retina in the amblyopic cats. But no significant difference was found between two kinds of amblyopic cats.

CONCLUSION:The NO and GABA play an important role in the formation of amblyopia in the level of retinal.