Effects of near UV light photoproducts of epinephrine on aqueous humor proteins.

At a level of 0.01 per cent in isolated, pooled calf aqueous humor, epinephrine bitartrate is converted into a series of pigmented. photoproducts by exposure to near UV light for only a few hours. The brown photoproducts, but not adrenochrome, bind to and alter the electrophoretic mobility of aqueous-humor proteins. The rapidity and mild conditions required for the above-described effects to occur, and other considerations of possible near UV photoproduct cellular toxicity, emphasize a need for physical or chemical measures to prevent near UV light exposure of the aqueous humor in patients treated with epinephrine, especially in the aphakic eye.