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Retroperfusion studies of the aqueous outflow system. Part I: Evaluation of technique using N-ethyl maleimide
C R Ethier1, F M Coloma, A W de Kater
1Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Purpose:
The goal of this study was to develop a new technique to deliver drugs or other agents to the lumen of the angular aqueous plexus/Schlemm's canal (AAP/SC) while bypassing the trabecular meshwork, thereby gaining insight into AAP/SC inner wall function.
Methods:
The anterior chamber is held at a small negative pressure and fluid is allowed to flow retrograde from the limbal vessels, through the collector channels, and into the AAP/SC ("retroperfusion"). Facility measurements are combined with histologic and tracer studies in bovine eyes.
Results:
(1) Retroperfusion with a saline solution does not alter facility or change outflow pathway morphology; (2) fluid is able to move retrograde from the scleral surface and enter the lumen of the AAP; and (3) retroperfusion with N-ethyl maleimide causes a dose-dependent increase in washout rate and concomitant inner wall breaks.
Conclusions:
It is hypothesized that the observed increase in washout is due to leakage of extracellular materials through breaks in the inner wall.