What is aqueous flare indicative of in a clinical setting?

Aqueous flare is indicative of active anterior uveitis in a clinical setting. This phenomenon refers to the presence of protein and inflammatory cells in the aqueous humor, which is the clear fluid in the front segment of the eye. In healthy eyes, the aqueous humor is normally clear, allowing for unobstructed vision. However, when there is inflammation in the uveal tract, particularly in the anterior segment, proteins leak into the aqueous humor, resulting in a visible haze or flare effect seen during an examination with a slit lamp.

When uveitis is present, the blood-aqueous barrier becomes compromised, leading to this infiltration of inflammatory substances. Therefore, observing aqueous flare provides strong evidence of an active inflammatory process, making it a key indicator for diagnosing anterior uveitis in veterinary ophthalmology. This finding often correlates with other symptoms, such as redness (hyperemia) and pain in the eye, which further helps in the diagnosis and management of the condition.