Consensual reactions to anterior chamber paracentesis in the rabbit.

A consensual reaction was consistently obtained in rabbits subjected to unilateral paracentesis. On fluorescein angiography of the anterior segment, we observed that this consensual reaction consisted of a slight to moderate dye extravasation from the ciliary processes into the aqueous. Aspirin usually, but not always, inhibited this reaction. Retrobulbar injection of anesthesia to the injured eye always blocked the consensual response, as did phenoxybenzamine injected intravenously before the paracentesis. We concluded that consensual responses are more efficiently inhibited by nerve-blocking agents than by prostaglandin inhibitors. These results suggest that the interocular pathway mediating consensual responses is probably neural and not caused by prostaglandins released into the general circulation.