Vitreous fluorophotometry evaluation of xenon photocoagulation.

An abnormal increase in the permeability of the outer blood-retinal barrier was induced in the eyes of adult pigmented rabbits after retinal xenon arc photocoagulation. The alteration of the blood-retinal barrier, which was assessed by vitreous fluorophotometry after systemic administration of sodium fluorescein, followed a well-defined pattern. Higher values, which were recorded during the first three days after photocoagulation, recovered progressively afterward. The permeability of the blood-retinal barrier returned to near-normal levels between 10 and 14 days after photocoagulation. A direct correlation was observed between higher initial values and heavier photocoagulation.