Sites of breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier after paracentesis of the rhesus monkey eye.

Sites of breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier following rapid paracentesis have been investigated in rhesus monkeys with two independent procedures. (1) The entrance of fluorescein into the anterior and posterior chambers following paracentesis was studied in vivo in normal eyes, in eyes with laser-induced experimental glaucoma, and in totally iridectomized eyes. (2) Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the ciliary body and trabecular meshwork regions in normal eyes and paracentetic eyes. These investigations show that the ciliary body, particularly the anterior pars plicata region, is a source of secondary aqueous humor protein. In addition, the study shows reflux of blood into Schlemm's canal and plasma movement across the inner wall into the anterior chamber.