Experimental chalcosis: a comparison between in vivo and in vitro findings.

The ocular changes following the introduction of a copper foreign body in the eye of rabbits were studied by histological, histochemical, and quantitative analysis. The findings are compared with previously reported changes observed in vivo. The efficacy of ophthalmoscopy and electroretinography in the early detection of chalcosis is compared with the efficacy of a new method, diagnostic X-ray spectrometry.