[Evaluation and monitoring of selected inflammation patterns in uveitis using laser tyndallometry]

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the degree of inflammation and to monitor the dynamics of the blood-aqueous barrier disruption in selected cases of uveitis using laser tyndalometry.

Measurements with the use of laser tyndalometer (Kowa FM-500) were performed in 72 patients (90 eyes) with various types of uveitis. They were divided into four groups: anterior uveitis (28 eyes), intermediate uveitis (pars planitis) (28 eyes), posterior uveitis (26 eyes) and panuveitis (8 eyes). Aqueous flare values were expressed as photon counts per millisecond.

Tyndalometric mean values in control eyes were 4.8 +/- 1.0 ph/msec. Mean initial flare was pronounced in multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis--196.0 ph/msec, HLA-B27 positive acute anterior uveitis--145.4 ph/msec, and in acute herpes zoster anterior uveitis--52.4 ph/msec. It was mild to moderate in Fuchs uveitis syndrome--7.8 ph/msec, pars planitis--15.7 ph/msec, posterior uveitis in toxoplasmosis--6.8 ph/msec and toxocariasis--17.5 ph/msec. The potential of laser flare-meter for precise follow-up and adjustment of therapy was demonstrated in selected cases.

Laser tyndalometry has been proved to be a useful tool for the objective and quantitative evaluation of anterior chamber flare in uveitis and for monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment, thus improving therapeutic efficacy of uveitis.