The damaging effect of UV rays (with the wavelength shorter than 320 nm) on the rabbit anterior eye segment. I. Early changes and their prevention by catalase-aprotinin application

In experiments carried out in rabbit eyes, UV rays of 254 or 312 nm wavelength damaged the anterior eye segment, whereas those of 365 nm wavelength did not. Two min irradiation with 254 nm UV rays led to a decrease of catalase activity in the corneal epithelium. After 5 min irradiation the catalase activity in the epithelium was not detectable at all. Catalase activity was also diminished in the corneal endothelium and lens epithelium. In this stage the changes were accompanied by decreased activities of Na(+)--K(+)-dependent adenosine triphosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and increased activities of lysosomal enzymes in the corneal and lens epithelium as well as in the corneal endothelium. The transparency of the cornea and lens was decreased. Plasmin activity appeared in the tear fluid. The irradiation with UV rays of 312 nm caused similar disturbances, however, a longer exposure was necessary. In contrast, irradiation with UV rays of 365 nm did not produce any changes. The described corneal disturbances were prevented by dropping of catalase solution on the eye surface during the irradiation or shortly after it. However, after a protracted irradiation aprotinin had to be added to catalase to achieve the healing. The decrease of catalase activity and its prevention by a local application of catalase suggests a key role of oxyradicals in the damage of the eye by UV rays.