An experimental model of acute immune-complex uveitis.

We developed an experimental model of anterior uveitis by injecting ovalbumin or bovine serum albumin into the anterior chamber of sensitized rabbits. All the eyes showed leakage of serum proteins into the aqueous humor within 30 min. and developed uveitis within 24 hrs.

Immunological studies of human anterior uveitis.

Immunofluorescent studies revealed extracellular deposits of IgG and C3 as well as immunoglobulin containing inflammatory cells in the affected iris of a patient suffering from endogenous acute uveitis. Antibodies to uveal components were detected in the serum of 4 out of a total of 23 endogenous uveitis patients examined. Examination of these 23 sera also revealed antinuclear activity in one, antismooth muscle activity in one, and anti-mitochondrial activity in three.