Evaluation of Ocular Inflammation in Patients Operated by Radial Keratotomy. A Laser Flare Meter Study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the degree of inflammation in the anterior chamber following 4- or 8-incision radial keratotomy (RK). STUDY DESIGN: The eyes of 21 patients who had undergone Radial Keratotomy were studied with a laser flare meter LFM 500. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Verona University. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjective assessment of corneal oedema, subjective assessment of flare in the anterior chamber, objective measurement of flare by a Kowa laser flare meter. RESULTS: The flare in the anterior chamber was 4.34 ± 0.48 phot/ms before surgery. In eyes with 4-incision RK, the flare was 8.0 ± 1.73 phot/ms after 24 h, and was 4.82 ± 1.8 phot/ms after 7 days. In eyes with 8-incision RK, the flare was 14.16 ± 2.8 phot/ms after 24 h, and was 7.71 ± 2.5 phot/ms after 7 days. Only 1 eye showed some degree of inflammation when examined by slip-lamp. CONCLUSIONS: Radial keratotomy led to some degree of flare in the anterior chamber in our study. The reason could lie in the cutting of corneal nerves.