Effects of alpha chymotrypsin on the canine eye

Injection of 150, 500, or 750 U of alpha chymotrypsin into the posterior chamber of clinically normal Beagles resulted in changes in intraocular pressure and iridocyclitis. In the 6 eyes treated with 500 or 750 U, lens subluxation occurred in 4 eyes, retinal detachment in 1 eye, retinal degeneration in 1 eye, and optic nerve degeneration in 6 eyes. Scanning electron microscopic changes included dose-related zonulolysis and zonulary remnants within the aqueous humor outflow pathways. Ultrastructural changes by transmission microscopy of the optic nerve degeneration revealed loss of axoplasm and organelles and disruption of the myelin sheaths. Retinal and optic nerve changes may represent the direct toxic effects of alpha chymotrypsin and/or the indirect effects of increased intraocular pressure.