International Ophthalmology

, Volume 30, Issue 5, pp 495–500 | Cite as

Sensitivity of laser flare photometry compared to slit-lamp cell evaluation in monitoring anterior chamber inflammation in uveitis

  • Ottavio Bernasconi
  • Marina Papadia
  • Carl P. Herbort
Original Paper
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

To study the sensitivity of laser flare photometry (LFP) in monitoring anterior chamber inflammation by correlating LFP measurements with slit-lamp evaluation of aqueous cells in HLA-B27-related uveitis in a prospective trial. Slit-lamp cell evaluation was correlated with LFP-measured flare in a masked fashion in HLA-B27-related uveitis patients receiving standard topical therapy. At the time of 50 and 90% LFP flare reduction, the corresponding reduction of cells was recorded and statistically compared using the sign test. Forty-three episodes (in 43 patients) of acute anterior HLA-B27-related uveitis were included. LFP flare reduction and slit-lamp cell reduction were strongly correlated. LFP was significantly more sensitive for both 50% (P = 0.001) and 90% (P = 0.02) LFP flare reduction in assessing the decrease of anterior chamber inflammation. LFP was superior to slit-lamp cell evaluation in monitoring anterior chamber inflammation in uveitis. Flare, becoming a quantitative parameter when measured by LFP, rather than cells, should be considered the gold standard to measure anterior chamber inflammation in uveitis.

Keywords

Laser flare photometry Intraocular inflammation Quantitative method 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from Kowa Co., Electronic & Optics Division Tokyo, Japan.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  • Ottavio Bernasconi
    • 1
    • 2
  • Marina Papadia
    • 1
    • 3
  • Carl P. Herbort
    • 1
    • 4
  1. 1.Inflammatory and Retinal Eye DiseasesCentre for Ophthalmic Specialised Care (COS), Rue de la GrotteLausanneSwitzerland
  2. 2.Ospedale Regionale Bellinzona e ValliBellinzonaSwitzerland
  3. 3.Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology and GeneticsUniversity of GenovaGenoaItaly
  4. 4.University of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland

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