Intraocular gas effects on corneal endothelial permeability.

We examined the effects of intraocular gases on the permeability of the rabbit corneal endothelium to inulin and dextran. Volumes of air (0.16 ml), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) (0.08 ml), and octafluoropentane (C3F8) (0.04 ml) were infused into the anterior chamber at constant intraocular pressure so that all volumes were equal after expansion. The inulin/dextran permeability was statistically decreased by infusion with Ringer, while air caused an 8.4% increase in dextran permeability but no effect on inulin flux. These small effects were of no biological significance. SF6 caused a 16% and 13% increase in inulin and dextran permeability, respectively, while C3F8 caused an 18% increase in both inulin and dextran permeability. Longevity of gas in the anterior chamber appears important in delineating the deleterious effects. The gases per se do not appear toxic but rather disrupt normal physiologic function through physical process.