Apraclonidine protection of the blood-aqueous barrier from traumatic break-down

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of apraclonidine hydrochloride 1% eye drops on blood-aqueous barrier in 108 pigmented rabbits. The effects of pretreatment with dapiprazole and yohimbine, and a comparison with clonidine 0.125% eye drops are also reported. The disruption of blood-aqueous barrier was obtained by argon laser burning of the iris. The degree of permeability of the barrier was deduced by the amount of proteins in aqueous humor 60 min after laser application. Intraocular pressure and pupil diameter were also studied. Protein content in aqueous humor was 0.72 ± 0.26 g/l in control rabbits that did not receive any treatment; 5.98 ± 4.23 g/l in rabbits instilled with placebo eye drops and treated by laser burning of iris; 0.43 ± 0.25 g/l in rabbits that received apraclonidine eye drops prior to laser burning; 2.19 ± 1.3 g/l in rabbits that received apraclonidine eye drops immediately after laser application; 0.35 ± 0.08 g/l in rabbits that received apraclonidine 1% eye drops both before...