Pathways of the eye's response to topical nitrogen mustard.

We studied the effect of prior corneal herpes simplex infection with its resultant corneal hypesthesia on the irritative response of the rabbit eye to topical nitrogen mustard. Both the miosis and the breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier that follow the application of topical nitrogen mustard were diminished in eyes infected three weeks previously with herpes simplex virus. Nonspecific corneal scarring did not affect the response. This suggests again that an axon reflex requiring intact sensory innervation mediates the response to nitrogen mustard. Pretreatment of normal (noninfected) rabbits with systemic H1 and H2 antihistamines, topical scopolamine hydrobromide, or topical and systemic corticosteroids was ineffective in blocking the miosis or increased protein in the aqueous humor following topical nitrogen mustard.