The levels of cyclic-AMP, cyclic-GMP and betamethasone (BM) in the aqueous humor and serum BM following topical treatment with BM were determined using radioimmunoassay (RIA) methods. One drop of a solution containing 0.1%, 0.5% or 1.0% BM was applied to the rabbit eye of 6 rabbits. The left eyes served as controls.
BM was detected in the aqueous humor from right eyes 15 minutes after administration and peaked in 60-90 minutes. BM was also detected in the aqueous humor of the left eyes and in serum.
Basal levels of cAMP and cGMP in the aqueous humor before BM treatment were 61.5 and 4.1 picomole/ml respectively, and changed little after BM treatment.