Optical system for drug detection in the anterior chamber of the eye

Describes preliminary results obtained from an instrumentation technique under investigation which is concerned with the direct and non-invasive measurement of the light scattering, absorbance and fluorescence properties of aqueous humour contained within the anterior chamber of laboratory animal or human eyes. The need for such an instrument has been obvious for some time. Direct sampling of the anterior chamber by paracentesis is technically problematic and is associated with the use of local or general anaesthesia. Moreover, sampling by direct injection exposes the eye to the risk of infection and even blindness. An instrument of the type described here would allow measurements to be made of the aqueous humour without direct sampling