title: [Use of the laser-flare meter for early diagnosis of corneal graft rejection and for monitoring therapy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to noninvasively quantify, with the use of a laser-flare meter, the alterations of the blood-aqueous barrier following penetrating keratoplasty. This could objectively indicate the disruption of this barrier in eyes with early allograft rejection, possibly even before the manifestation of the clinical signs, and would help to monitor the efficacy of the treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the laser flare-meter (Kowa FM-500) to investigate alterations of the blood-aqueous barrier following uncomplicated penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and in corneal allograft rejection. Examination was performed in 53 eyes of 50 patients after uncomplicated PK (7 days to 12 months after PK), in 20 normal control eyes and in 8 patients with acute allograft rejection before and during the treatment. The treatment consisted of systemic and topical administration of steroids and in some cases additionally topical immunosuppressants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean flare values in the control eyes were 3.9 +/- 1.0 photon counts/ms. During the first two weeks after uncomplicated keratoplasty they were significantly increased (18.2 +/- 5.8) but were postoperatively slowly decreasing in time, nearly reaching the control values within 6-12 months. They were considerably higher in eyes with acute allograft rejection (34.0 +/- 13.1), but gradually diminished to 8.1 +/- 1.2 after successful treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of laser flaremetry is useful in the follow-up of patients after perforating keratoplasty, especially after high risk grafts. The method helps to detect quantitatively early allograft rejection and is beneficial in monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment.
authors.affiliation: Katedry i I Kliniki Okulistyki AM w Lublinie.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zarnowski
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haszcz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rakowska
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zagórski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000295:instrumentation; D010783:Photometry / Q000379:methods*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous