The effects of body immersion on aqueous humor dynamics in rabbits

Rabbits subjected to free-floating body immersion demonstrated decreases in intraocular pressure followed by later increases. These intraocular pressure alterations were associated with parallel changes in aqueous humor production. Episcleral venous pressure was elevated during immersion but outflow facility was unaltered. The decrease in intraocular pressure could be partially blocked by pretreatment with vasopressin or desoxycorticosterone acetate. In cross-circulation studies between an immersed and non-immersed rabbit, a decrease in intraocular pressure was observed in both animals. This observation further supported the involvement of humoral factors in the body-immersion induced intraocular pressure response.