Aqueous flare measurement with a laser flare cellmeter in eyes with diabetic retinopathy.

Eighty-one patients (147 eyes) with non-proliferative or proliferative diabetic retinopathy were examined with a laser flare cellmeter with regard to function of the blood-anterior chamber barrier. The protein content of the aqueous in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy was significantly higher than that in patient with the non-proliferative form. A statistically significant association was found between the age of diabetic patients and the flare concentration. In the group with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, a distinct increased flare concentration was measured in particular cases. Long-term controls will have to show whether this is an indication of imminent complications.