Laser flare photometry and complications of chronic uveitis in children.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate possible relationships between laser flare photometry values, complications of uveitis, and outcomes in children with chronic uveitis.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
We evaluated patients with active, noninfectious anterior, intermediate, or panuveitis who were 16 years of age or younger and who had laser flare photometry at one of two academic institutions. Complications enumerated at baseline and during follow-up were compared with laser flare photometry values and to anterior chamber cell counts.


RESULTS
At least one laser flare photometry value ("flare"), defined as baseline measurement, was available for 59 patients (41 girls, 18 boys; mean age, 10.3 +/- 3.5 years); 38 of these patients had at least one additional measurement during follow-up (median 11 months). Complications of uveitis were present in 35 patients (59%) at baseline. There was a positive association between increased laser flare photometry values and complications at baseline (any complication [P =.007], posterior synechiae [P =.003]). The development of complications during follow-up was associated with the presence of complications at baseline (P =.018). A subgroup of patients with low flare at baseline had no complications during follow-up regardless of treatment given.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a positive relationship between laser flare photometry values and the prevalence of complications of uveitis in children. Laser flare photometry provides a novel way to monitor children with uveitis. Future study will be needed to determine whether values have prognostic importance and whether a treatment strategy that minimizes flare results in fewer uveitic complications.
Davis
Janet L
JL
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA. jdavis@med.miami.edu
Dacanay
Leonardo M
LM
Holland
Gary N
GN
Berrocal
Audina M
AM
Giese
Michael J
MJ
Feuer
William J
WJ
D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D010783:Photometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014605:Uveitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism
D005136:Eye Proteins