Slit-lamp fluorophotometry in intraocular lens patients

Two hundred and sixty-four patients who had unilateral implant surgery and normal contralateral unoperated eyes were studied by slit-lamp anterior segment fluorophotomety. Patients tested five weeks to six months after surgeryb averaged 22% more fluorescein in the operated than in the unoperated eye, while those tested after six months averaged only 12% more fluorescein. Patients receiving topical indomethacin demonstrated an 11% increase in fluorescein, while those taking a placebo averaged a 33% increase. Patients with cystoid macular edema averaged a 46% increase in fluorescein compared with a 17% increase in the other patients. Twenty-seven control patients with unilaterally aphakic eyes and normal contralateral unoperated eyes, tested on an average of two years after surgery, showed essentially no increase in fluorescein in the operated eye. Fluorophotometry may be a valuable clinical tool in testing the effect of drugs on the blood-aqueous barrier and to screen patients for cystoid macular edema.