Volume flow across the isolated retinal pigment epithelium of cynomolgus monkey eyes.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid was isolated from cynomolgus monkey eyes with experimental retinal detachments and the volume flow was determined in vitro using Ussing-type chambers. With zero pressure difference across the membrane, retina-to-choroid volume flow was 5.0 microliter/hr/cm2 in eyes with subacute retinal detachments (1-2 weeks). In eyes with chronic retinal detachment (8-20 months), the flow was 7.3 microliter/hr/cm2. Volume flow was not affected by the elimination of ambient bicarbonate. Transepithelial potential difference and resistance were 8.9 mV, retinal side positive, and 339 ohm-cm2, respectively, in chronic retinal detachments. It is concluded that there is a posteriorly directed flow of fluid across the RPE in cynomolgus monkey eyes with chronic retinal detachments.