Effect of oral administration of vitamin C on human aqueous humor ascorbate concentration

AIM: To study Oral administration of vitamin C on human aqueous humour asco rbate concentration. METHODS: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrochemical detector (ECD) was used. The effect of oral a dministration of various doses of ascorbic acid, 0 (control), 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 , 3.0, and 5.0 g, on its concentration in aqueous humour, obtained from vol unteer cataract patients was studied. RESULTS: The concentration of ascorbi c acid in aqueous humour of control group (without administration of vitami n-C tablet or drug containing ascorbic acid was (254 +/- 119) mg.L-1. This study revealed that the administration of 2.0 g of ascorbic acid saturate t he aqueous humour and further increase in the dose (3.0 g and 5.0 g) did no t increase its concentration in aqueous humour, although its concentration was increased in plasma. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of 2.0 g of Vc is sufficient to saturate the aqueous humour where it may be helpful in contro lling the intra-ocular pressure.