The effect of topically applied prostaglandin inhibitors on the laser-induced disruption of the blood aqueous barrier

The therapeutic effect of topically applied prostaglandin inhibitors on the laser-induced disruption of the blood-aqueous barrier was investigated in six series of five rabbits each. One series was not coagulated and served as baseline, and in a reference group laser coagulation was performed without pretreatment with a prostaglandin inhibitor. In four series the iris laser coagulation of the left eyes was preceded by topical application of a prostaglandin inhibitor. The right eyes served as controls for the contralateral effect on the blood aqueous barrier. After laser coagulation the intraocular pressure was monitored at 10-min intervals, and the anterior chamber was tapped for analysis of the protein concentration and the lactate dehydrogenase activity. Pretreatment with dexamethasone eyedrops and indomethacin eyedrops markedly blocked the laser-induced disruption of the blood-aqueous barrier. The level of protein concentration in the aqueous humor after laser coagulation was much less after pretreatment with dexamethasone or indomethacin eyedrops. The effect was significant, both for the laser-treated eyes and for the noncoagulated fellow eyes (p < 0.025). The subconjunctival pretreatment with dexamethasone 1 or 24 h before laser coagulation had no significant effect with respect to the protection of the blood aqueous barrier.