Evaluation of anterior chamber inflammation after corneal refractive surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively evaluate inflammatory response by measuring aqueous flare in the anterior chamber after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), and intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) implantation.


METHODS
Aqueous flare was measured pre- and postoperatively at days 1, 7, and 21 with a laser flare meter (Kowa FM 500). Thirty-one patients (58 eyes) were randomized, only for low myopia, in three groups treated with PRK (myopia <-4.50 D), LASIK (myopia range between -4.00 and -12.00 D), and ICRS (myopia <-4.50 D).


RESULTS
Mean preoperative flare intensities were similar in the three groups (p< or =0.05; mean, 4.6 photons/ms). In the PRK group, flare increased significantly (mean day 2, 9.5 photons/ms), as it did in the LASIK group (mean day 1, 23.8 photons/ms). In the ICRS group, there was no significant difference between pre- and postoperative levels of flare at any time (mean day 1, 4.9 photons/ms). In all three groups, flare intensity returned to baseline at day 7, except in the LASIK group, which remained at a significantly higher level (mean day 7, 7.7 photons/ms) than the preoperative one.


CONCLUSIONS
According to this method, the blood-aqueous barrier seems to be altered in laser procedures, particularly in LASIK, probably in correlation with the depth of photoablation. ICRS implantation did not increase the postoperative flare significantly.
Pisella
P J
PJ
Quinze-Vingts National Ophthalmology Center, Paris, France. pisella@quinze-vingts.fr
Albou-Ganem
C
C
Bourges
J L
JL
Debbasch
C
C
Limon
S
S
D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000473:pathology*; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000166:cytology; D018916:Blood-Aqueous Barrier; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*