Transfer of fluorescein from blood vessels to disc tissue: the theory.

The mathematical theory of the transition of fluorescein from blood vessels into the disc tissue is developed. Formulas result which show the dependence of the transition of a diffusible substance on intraocular pressure: the "fluorescein transition time" is composed of two parameters, a pressure-dependent one and a pressure-independent one. It is shown what measurements are needed to obtain this flgure for the untouched living human eye. If the method proves to be exact enough, it should allow the distinction between "ocular hypertension" and "beginning simple glaucoma before visual field damage."