AQUEOUS FLARE MEASURED WITH THE LASER-FLA RE-METER IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA BEFORE AND AFTER GRID PHOTOCOAGULATION

Background It is known that the breakdown of the blood-retina-barrier (BRB) as well as the blood-aqueous-barrier (BAB) is one of the earlies t pathopysiological changes in the diabetic eve. Some previous studies confirmed a statistically significant increase of flare values of the aqueous humor in eyes with diabetic retinopathy which is lineary corr elated with the protein concentration. This study investigated the eff ect of a central laser photocoagulation in eyes with clinically signif icant macular edema on the permeability of the blood-aqueous-barrier ( BAB). Patients and Methods We included 22 eyes of 22 patients with dia betes mellitus suffering from clinically significant macular edema det ermined by fluorescence angiography giving an indication for central l aser treatment. Two measurements of aqueous flare were taken, the firs t before laser photocoagulation ( grid with about 100 coagulations) an d the second 6 to 8 weeks after treatment. Results The flare values be fore treatment were 11,4 +/- 4,1 phc/ms (4,9-23,8) and after treatment 10,0 +/- 3,5 phc/ms (5,7-16,7). There was a significant difference be tween both measurements (p=0,039). Conclusions The protein concentrati on of the aqeoues humor is a parameter which allows to characterize th e permeability of the BAB. The central laser photocoagulation seems to seal the vessels.