Quantitative Assessment Of The Blood–aqueous Barrier In Human Eyes With Choroidal Melanomas And Choroidal Naevi

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To investigate whether laser flare–cell meter values are different in patients with choroidal melanoma or choroidal naevi. Methods: The study was a prospective investigation. Blood–aqueous barrier alteration was measured with a laser flare–cell meter in both eyes of 30 patients with a small unilateral choroidal melanoma, 30 patients with a unilateral choroidal naevus, and 15 age– and gender–matched healthy controls. Flare elevation increased attaining 5 ph/ms was considered clinically relevant. Results: The absolute flare values were significantly higher in the tumour–bearing eye (9.46 ±3.20 ph/ms) than in the healthy eye (5.41± 1.86 ph/ms) (p<0.0001). No significant difference was found in anterior chamber flare values between eyes with a naevus (5.9±3.2 ph/ms) and healthy eyes (5.88 ± 2.82 ph/ms) (p=0.9). There was also a significant difference in flare values between eyes with a choroidal melanoma and eyes with a naevus (p<0.0001) or eyes in healthy controls (5.6 ± 3.24 ph/ms) (p<0;0.001). No significant difference was found in anterior chamber tyndallometry between paired eyes in any of the three groups Conclusion:The non–invasive laser flare–cell meter could be a helpful tool for distinguishing patients with choroidal melanomas from those with a choroidal naevus.

Keywords: choroid • melanoma • laser