K. Norrsell et al., AQUEOUS FLARE IN PATIENTS WITH MONOCULAR IRIS ATROPHY AND UVEITIS - ALASER FLARE AND IRIS ANGIOGRAPHY STUDY, Acta ophthalmologica Scandinavica, 76(4), 1998, pp. 405-412
Purpose: To study aqueous flare longitudinally in patients with Fuchs'
heterochromic uveitis (FHU) and for comparison in another group with
iris atrophy (non FHU), Methods: A new laser flare meter was used. Iri
s angiography was performed in most FHU patients. Results: The flare v
alues in the affected eyes in the FHU group were always higher compare
d to the normal eyes and rather constant over time. Cataract surgery d
id not permanently change the flare values. Systemic - but not local -
steroid therapy caused normalization of the flare. Iris angiography d
isplayed leakage in all FHU eyes. Leakage from original vessels domina
ted although some newly-formed leaking vessels were observed. Conclusi
ons: The results support the notion that FHU is a low grade, chronic,
stable disease. Leaking iris vessels, original or newly-formed, are pr
obably the source of the increased flare. Our hypothesis is that infla
mmation plays a major part. Atrophy per se does not enhance flare.