Decrease in tear secretion and corneal sensitivity after laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate tear secretion and corneal sensitivity after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of myopia. METHODS: In a prospective study, 48 consecutive eyes (24 patients) underwent LASIK to correct myopia ranging from -3.5 to -12.25 diopters. Tear secretion tested by the tear function index and corneal sensitivity tested using the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer were evaluated preoperatively and 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 9 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Tear secretion and corneal sensitivity after LASIK were reduced during the first 3 months after surgery (p<0.001). Tear secretion returned to its preoperative values only after 9 months. Tear secretion and corneal sensitivity were more depressed in long-term contact lens wearers preoperatively and 6 months after surgery (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In the correction of myopia, tear secretion was depressed after LASIK during the first 6 months after surgery.

Sulfasalazine in the prevention of anterior uveitis associated with ankylosing spondylitis.

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of sulfasalazine in preventing recurrences and reducing the severity of anterior uveitis associated with ankylosing spondylitis and chronic intestinal inflammation. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with anterior uveitis associated with ankylosing spondylitis were studied. Ten patients were randomised to receive oral sulfasalazine (group 1) and 12 patients randomised to no treatment (group 2); all were followed for 3 years. Blood-aqueous barrier permeability was determined by fluorophotometry and bowel biopsies were taken. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding the number of recurrences of uveitis (p = 0.016). The blood-aqueous barrier permeability was significantly higher during acute attacks in group 2 (group 1: 31.3 +/- 26.4 x 10(-4) min-1 vs group 2: 66.2 +/- 28.5 x 10(-4) min-1; p = 0.019) but not during the disease-free period. We observed a higher incidence of chronic intestinal inflammation at the end of the study in group 2 (group 1: 3/8 vs group 2: 7/9, p = 0.153). No relation was observed between blood-aqueous barrier permeability and the number of recurrences. The number of patients with severe persistent posterior synechiae at the end of the study was higher in group 2 (group 1: 4 patients before and 4 patients at the end; group 2: 4 patients before and 8 patients at the end; p = 0.65). CONCLUSION: Sulfasalazine may be beneficial in preventing recurrences and reducing the severity of anterior uveitis associated with ankylosing spondylitis.