[A pupillographical study on the effects of cataract surgery on the contralateral eye]

In order to estimate the effect of cataract surgery on the contralateral eye, we examined pupillary light reflex and performed laser flare-cell measurement. The subjects were nine patients who underwent extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and fourteen patients who underwent ECCE with intraocular lens implantation. Pupillary light reflexes of the contralateral eyes were examined using a computerized videopupillogram (HTV C-301). Aqueous cells and flare of both eyes were measured by a laser flare-cell meter (KOWA FC 100). The author performed five successive measurements before and 1, 3 days, 1, 2 weeks and 1, 2, 3 months after surgery and statistically estimated the consensual effect of cataract surgery. As a result of contralateral cataract surgery, pupils became significantly miotic from the first postoperative day for more than 3 months without any alteration of other parameters of light reflex. On the contrary aqueous cells and flare significantly raised from the first postoperative day and disappeared within 3 months. Consensual miosis was considered to be sensitive indicator of postoperative inflammation of cataract surgery as well as contralateral increase of aqueous cells and flare.