Corneal thermal patterns in anterior uveitis.

Material and Methods Surface temperature was measured with a bolometer; the method of use and precautions to be taken are described in a previous paper (Mapstone, 1968a). A series of 53 unselected patients with unilateral acute anterior uveitis was investigated, temperatures being measured over four areas on each side of the median plane: cornea, medial forehead skin, lateral forehead skin, lower lid skin. From these measurements the temperature differences between the side of the inflamed and normal eye were calculated (At) and the result plotted against time. Each patient was treated initially with gutt. Predsol 0 5 per cent. 2-hrly and gutt. Atropine 2 per cent. twice daily; if there was no clinical response a subconjunctival injection of Depomedrone 8 mg. was given. Results The corneal thermal patterns were divided into three groups depending on whether At was positive or negative: (1) At positive (2) At negative (3) At initially at least +0 5°C. but subsequently at least -0-5°C. although signs of inflammation were still present. Group 1 (44 patients).-The Table records the salient data from this group, which was divided into four subgroups according to the magnitude of the maximum At recorded during the inflammation. TABLE DATA FROM PATIENTS IN GROUP 1