USE OF LASER FLAREMETRY TO MEASURE AQUEOUS-HUMOR PROTEIN-CONCENTRATION IN DOGS

The blood-aqueous barrier in dogs is compromised by uveitis, surgery, and limbal paracentesis. Breakdown qi the blood-aqueous barrier allows protein into the aqueous humor and results in mild to severe inflamma tion. Diagnosis of protein tn the aqueous humor is traditionally a sub jective measurement. laser flaremetry was used for noninvasive quantit ation of aqueous humor protein concentration in dogs. Flaremetry data were compared with aqueous humor protein concentrations obtained from aqueous humor paracentesis and slit-lamp flare evaluations. Results fr om clinically normal eyes and those with uveitis and cataracts were co mpared. Subjective evaluatians of flare were correlated with a range o f flaremetry readings and aqueous humor protein concentrations. Clinic ally normal eyes herd a range of flaremetry readings of 1.4 to 7.0 pho ton counts (PC)lms, with a mean of 3.8 PC/ms. Corresponding aqueous hu mor protein concentrations ranged from 5 to 28 mg/dl, with a mean of 1 5.1 mg/dl. Eyes with uveitis or cataracts had a range of flaremetry re adings of 4.9 to 245.5 PC/ms and a range of aqueous protein concentrat ions of 13 to 729 mg/dl. Flaremetry readings accurately and sensitivel y measured total protein concentrations in the aqueous humor of dogs.