Clearance of debris from the iris through the drainage angle of the rabbit's eye.

The fate of particulate material on entering the drainage angle of the rabbit's eye was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The infiltrate was produced by photocoagulation of the iris. Initially it consisted of plasma, connective tissue and cellular debris, fibrin, and red blood cells. Later, free melanin granules, polymorphs, macrophages, and iris clump cells were all seen to enter the drainage system. Native meshwork cells were found to be active phagocytes and began to degrade various components of the infiltrate within 2 hours of the formation of the iris lesions. Corneal endothelial cells, the cells which cover the iris pillars, and the adventitial cells of the ciliary body were less active but were also phagocytic.