Intraocular pressure changes after alkali burns.

Abstract

The hypertensive response of the rabbit eye following application of 20μl and 50μl volumes of 2N NaOH to the cornea resulted in a rapid initial intraocular pressure (IOP) increase, which then subsided and was followed by a second slower and sustained rise. The initial rise is due to shrinkage of the outer coats of the eye while the second response is probably mediated by an intraocular release of prostaglandins. After the application of more than 68μl of 2N NaOH, the initial hypertensive response was followed by sustained hypotension.