Prostaglandins

Abstract

An article in this issue of theArchivesby Crawford and Kaufman¹provides substantial evidence that the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect of topically applied prostaglandin F_2α(PGF_2α) results from an increase in uveoscleral outflow. To fully appreciate the significance of the article, we must look briefly at the history of our understanding of the ocular effects not only of PGF_2αbut of the whole family of arachidonic acid derivatives, the eicosanoids. Although the nameprostaglandinwas coined in 1934, several decades passed before it was recognized that prostaglandins are ubiquitous local hormones that are synthesized by virtually all tissues of the body and can affect these tissues in various ways. Ambache²first demonstrated their synthesis by intraocular tissues. In a search for the mediators of the irritative response of the rabbit eye, a phenomenon that can be most annoying to ocular See also p 1112.