Measurement of water movement in the rabbit eye in vivo using H2(17)O.

Topically applied (eyedrop) H2(17)O (10% enrichment) was used in magnetic resonance studies to quantify intraocular water dispersion in vivo. The rate of H2(17)O removed from the aqueous chamber is in the order of 0.1 ml/min/ml of tissue. Similar results are obtained with either proton imaging or 17O spectroscopy. Parallel experiments of direct injection of H2(17)O into the aqueous chamber supported the topical data. Proton MR imaging of H2(17)O dissipation from the aqueous chamber with clinical imagers, coupled with eyedrop application, suggests clinical possibilities.