Superoxide dismutase isoenzymes in the human eye.

Abstract

Ocular tissues and fluids, except for those in the retina, are less protected against superoxide radicals than extraocular tissues and fluids. The large amounts of EC-SOD in the sclera and cornea may be related to the risk for photochemical production of superoxide in these tissues. If inflammatory reactions occur, ocular tissues are at risk for damage induced by superoxide radicals and peroxynitrite, the reaction product with nitric oxide.