Correlation between anterior chamber IgG/albumin concentrations and laser flare photometry in eyes with endogenous uveitis.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the correlation between laser flare measurements and anterior chamber IgG/albumin concentrations in eyes with mild to severe inflammation.

METHODS

Seventeen eyes of 17 patients with endogenous uveitis underwent diagnostic paracentesis. IgG and albumin concentrations were determined from the samples of aqueous humor. Laser flare measurements were performed 1 h prior to paracentesis. The relationship between flare measurements and IgG/albumin concentrations was studied be plotting the data on a logarithmic scale.

RESULTS

The flare measurement was 97.5+/-150.0 photons ms (mean +/- SD; range 4.3-528.7). The IgG concentration was 41.0+/-51.4 mg/dl mean +/- SD; range 0.2-200). The albumin concentration was 184.6+/-196.2 mg/dl (mean +/- SD; range 4-535). When plotted on a logarithmic scale, there was a statistically significant linear relationship between the flare measurements and the anterior chamber IgG or albumin concentrations (y = 1.14x-0.64, r= 0.87, p<0.001 for IgG; y = 1.39x-0.1, r= 0.94, p<0.001 for albumin).

CONCLUSIONS

Laser flare photometry is an accurate technique for assessing anterior chamber inflammation. Flare measurements strongly correlate with blood-aqueous barrier breakdown.