Effects of conjunctival resection on the corneal immune response.

In order to evaluate the effect of perilimbal conjunctival resection on the corneal immune response, we immunized rabbits with either intravenous or topical administration of bovine gamma globulin. After unilateral perilimbal conjunctival resection, the corneas were challenged with intracorneal injections of bovine gamma globulin. Perilimbal conjunctival resection prevented the development of peripheral corneal infiltrates in the rabbits immunized intravenously (P less than .0016) but not in those immunized topically. All the animals developed antibody titers to bovine gamma globulin. Similarly, perilimbal conjunctival resection did not prevent corneal graft rejection in rabbits sensitized to their donors by previous skin grafting.