Laser tyndallometry in anterior segment diseases

Laser tyndallometry refers to in vivo quantification of aqueous flare by measuring the scatter of a laser beam that is scanned into the anterior chamber. The laser flare-cell meter was introduced in 1988 and allows noninvasive, reproducible tyndallometry. Because biochemical studies have shown that the amount of laser light scattering correlates with aqueous protein concentration, laser tyndallometry allows noninvasive analysis of the integrity of the blood-aqueous barrier. Laser tyndallometry has been mainly applied to uveitis and to postoperative anterior segment changes with many of studies focusing on the anti-inflammatory effects of postoperative medications. In addition, the method was shown to give valuable information on the integrity of the blood-aqueous barrier in ocular and systemic diseases including diabetic retinopathy and pseudoexfoliation syndrome, in eyes with graft rejection after penetrating keratoplasty, and in various disease processes that mainly affect the posterior segment including retinitis pigmentosa, retinal vein occlusion, and uveal melanoma.