Decreased Aqueous-Flare Reaction to Repeated Applications of Prostaglandin E ₂ to the Cornea in Pigmented Rabbits

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of single or repeated topical applications of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to the cornea on the blood-aqueous barrier, we have measured the extent of flare in the anterior chamber of rabbit eyes at various time intervals. PGE2 was applied to the cornea for 4 min with the use of a glass cylinder in pigmented rabbits. Aqueous flare was measured by a laser flare cell meter. The flare intensity following the second application of 25 or 50 micrograms/ml of PGE2 was smaller than that following the first application. When 50 micrograms/ml of PGE2 was applied every day for 6 days, the flare intensity decreased significantly day by day. After consecutive applications of 10 micrograms/ml of PGE2 at hourly intervals, flare intensity increased up to 3 h, remained elevated from 3 to 5 h, and decreased thereafter. Repeated applications of 10 micrograms/ml of PGE2, every hour for 14 h every Monday, significantly decreased flare intensity week by week. Weekly applications of 50 micrograms/ml of PGE2 did not change flare intensity. This study indicates that the extent of the breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier in the rabbit eye, as measured by the development of flare in the anterior chamber, is reduced with repeated PGE2 application.