Rabbits were examined for the presence of inflammation in the anterior
segment including corneal edema, KPs, and iritis. Each category was
graded with a 0 (normal) to 4 (most severe) scoring system. Each
clinical sign was evaluated by specific criteria. Corneal edema was
scored as follows: 1, detectable thickening; 2, iris detail visible
through edematous cornea; 3, iris detail not visible through edematous
cornea; and 4, severe, whole cornea edema, peripheral iris not visible.
KP was scored as follows: 1, detectable; 2, sporadic, small size; 3,
diffuse, middle size; and 4, clumped, large size. Iritis was scored as
follows: 1, sectorial redness; 2, redness of the whole iris, detectable
flare cell in anterior chamber; 3, swelling and exudation of fiber
protein, mild flare cell; and 4, frank hemorrhage and severe flare
cell. The mean disease scores for corneal edema, KPs, or iritis were
calculated for each group of rabbits on each slit lamp examination.