Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. II. Retinal and other ocular manifestations.

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) was produced in 6 adult rhesus monkeys. All the animals developed acute EAE. Optic neuritis developed in all eyes. A vasculo-occlusive retinopathy was seen in five of the 12 eyes. Conjunctivitis and iridocyclitis were seen in some eyes. The available evidence indicates that the retinopathy is secondary to the optic nerve changes and represents central retinal vein occlusion by intraneural compression. Histopathologic studies revealed no evidence of inflammatory infiltration in the retina or around the retinal vessels.