Fluid movement across the blood-retinal barrier: a review of studies by vitreous fluorophotometry

Abstract

Vitreous fluorophotometry was used to study the fluid movement across the blood-retinal barrier. The effect of plasma osmolality and intraocular pressure on the movement of the fluorescent tracer confirmed the interaction between the tracers and the fluid flow across the blood-retinal barrier. The measurement of outward and inward permeabilities to carboxyfluorescein revealed the existence of a posteriorly directed fluid flow in the vitreous cavity of cynomolgus monkey eyes with retinal detachment. Fluid movement across the blood-retinal barrier was shown to be inhibited by furosemide and enhanced by acetazolamide. Furthermore, vitreous fluorophotometry proved to be useful in estimating the in vivo fluid dynamics in the vitreous and across the human retina.