The continuous and quantitative observation of permeability changes of the blood-aqueous barrier in allergic inflammation of the eye.

Permeability changes of the blood-aqueous barrier were studied in the eyes of rabbits subjected to immunologic inflammation. The changes were investigated by slit-lamp microphotometers. The leakage of fluorescein-labeled rabbit serum albumin into the anterior chamber was observed in eyes inflamed by reverse passive Arthus reactions. The permeability of the blood-aqueous barrier changed in biphasic pattern in allergic inflammations; the first phase began 5 min after the antigen challenge and lasted for 1 hr, followed by the late phase at which the dye concentration reached a peak 2 hr after the challenge and then gradually decreased.