Sg. Krohne et al., USE OF LASER FLAREMETRY TO MEASURE AQUEOUS-HUMOR PROTEIN-CONCENTRATION IN DOGS, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 206(8), 1995, pp. 1167-1172
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.