[Effects of prostaglandin E2 on intraocular pressure, anterior chamber depth and blood flow volume of the iris and the ciliary body in rabbit eyes].

The effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior chamber depth, and blood flow volume of the iris and the ciliary body of albino rabbits were investigated. Swelling and marked capillary dilatation of the ciliary body were observed after topical application of PGE2. IOP increased immediately by 200 micrograms, 400 micrograms, and 1,000 micrograms of PGE2, reached a peak within 30 minutes; then decreased gradually. The anterior chamber depth decreased only at 5 and 10 minutes after 1,000 micrograms of PGE2. The blood flow volume of the iris and the ciliary body immediately increased, and kept it up for 3 hours. Changes of IOP may be associated with an increase of blood flow attendant upon capillary dilatation of the ciliary body, and an increase of aqueous outflow due to breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier. In addition to morphological and functional changes of the ciliary body, further factors which promote vitreous volume expansion may play an essential part in the development of malignant glaucoma.