Vitreous inflammatory reaction. Vitreous inflammation in rabbits, induced by saline, air, or sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Inflammation of the vitreous body of rabbits after the injection of normal saline, sterile air, or SSHA was studied over a period of 30 days. The course of the inflammation follows a definite pattern: it shows an exacerbation 24 h after injection, an abrupt regression 48 h after injection, a new peak on the 8th day and subsequently a gradual regression until the 30th day. Although the course of the inflammation is approximately the same for the three vitreous substitutes, the reaction they provoke varies in intensity. The inflammation is most intense after the injection of SSHA and mildest after saline injection, while the intensity of the reaction caused by air lies between the two. The reaction was assessed by measuring the number and types of vitreous cells and the changes in the percentual proportions of globulin and albumin in the vitreous body, as well as by ascertaining the alterations of the vitreous structure.