Immune complexes in the aqueous humor and serum.

The aqueous humor and serum of patients with various ocular diseases were analyzed for the occurrence of rheumatoid factor or immune complexes. Rheumatoid factor was detected by its direct agglutinating activity on IgG-coated particles (latex) and immune complexes were detected by their ability to inhibit exogenous rheumatoid factor or the subunit q of the first component of complement (Clq). Rheumatoid factor or inhibitory activity were found in the aqueous humor of nine of 11 patients with Fuchs' syndrome. In some patients who were examined two or three times, agglutination alternated with inhibition. Among 13 patients with endogeous uveitis, five had either agglutinating or inhibitory activities in their aqueous humor. The tests were also positive in the aqueous humor of three of seven patients with choroidal melanoma. A high titer of rheumatoid factor was found in the aqueous humor in an accidentally perforated eye that resulted in sympathetic ophthalmitis. No inhibitory or agglutinating activity was detected in the aqueous humor of 20 patients with senile immature cataract.