[en] Solutions of ²²NaCl in saline or distilled water differ with respect to their ocular uptake. Studies were performed on eyes of living rabbits as well on the enucleated rabbit eyes. Chromatographic paper strips (15x2 mm) were soaked in both solutions, stretched over the cornea and left in contact for 1 min. Radioactivities of paper strips and rabbit eyes were measured and the ocular uptake of ²²Na was expressed as percentual values of the total radioactivities contained in the paper strips before their application to the corneal surface. Values of the ocular uptake of ²²NaCl solved in distilled water exceeded more than twice the values found in experiments where ²²Na solution in saline was used. The use of carrier-free ²²NaCl solutions in distilled water is recommended for the method measuring the ocular uptake hydrodynamics on basis of ocular ²²Na clearance. Uptake of ²²Na in enucleated eyes was twenty-five per cent higher in comparison with the eyes of living rabitts. (author)

[en] A new method is described of measuring ocular hydrodynamics using a short-time contact application of ²²NaCl to the corneal surface and following its subsequent clearance by means of external gamma counters. Clearance of ²²NaCl reflected the aqueous outflow by conventional and uveoscleral routes. Sodium diffusion into the ocular lens, vitreous body and retina did not significantly interfer with the rate of aqueous outflow. In the present study authors investigated the sodium corneal permeability and its diffusion into different compartments of the enucleated rabbit eyes. During the followed interval of 60. min. the corneal radioactivity decreased, activity in anterior chamber aqueous, sclera, iris, ciliary body and choroid achieved maximal values, in ocular lens, vitreous body and retina radioactivity steadily increased. After corneal deepithelization a fourfold increase of ²²NaCl transcorneal permeability was observed. (author)

[en] Changes of corneal permeability for ²²Na caused by benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and the Czechoslovak detergent Jar were tested in vitro as well as in vivo. Experiments in vitro were performed on corneas of bovine eyes incubated at 37 degC. During a 10 min span the corneal surface was wetted with nine drops of aqueous solutions of BAC (0.001%, 0.01%, 0.1%, 1% and 10.0%, resp.) and Jar (0.01%, 0.1%, 1.0%, 10.0% and 100.0%, i.e., commercialy available compound, resp.). Changes of corneal permeability caused by detergents were demonstrated by an increaseJ uptake of ²²Na transferred from the paper strips stretched over the corneal surface. For the controls, saline was used instead of detergents. The corneal permeability for ²²Na increased with increasing detergent concentration. Significant changes of corneal permeability were caused by Jar diluted to 0.01%. Experiments in vivo were carried out on rabbits. Both detergents were tested in above mentioned concetrations using always two drops during a 1 min exposure. The eyes were observed for 6 days. Heavy keratitis with corneal edema, purulent conjunctival discharge and blepharitis was caused by 10% BAC and to a lesser degree also by 1% BAC or undiluted Jar. On the seventh day the permeability of the rabbit corneas was tested applying the paper strips soaked with ²²Na. After 30 min the rabbits were dissected and the radioactivity of the isolated tissues and aqueous has been evaluated. After the six days delay the functional changes of the epithelial barrier were still observable manifesting itself by changed permeability and ocular distribution of ²²Na. (author)