The effect of cation ionophores on intraocular pressure.

The ionophores A23187 and X537A, which increase the permeability of cell membranes to calcium and other divalent cations, produced significant elevation of intraocular pressure in rabbits. Topical instillation of these ionophores in concentrations of 1.0 and 0.1 per cent were effective. Aqueous humor protein and facility of outflow were similar in ionophore-treated and control eyes. Pretreatment with indomethacin did not block the intraocular pressure rise induced by A23187. Alterations of intracellular calcium might control cellular processes within the eye as in many other biological systems.