The laser flare-cell meter measures the scattered light intensity of a He-Ne laser in the aqueous of the anterior chamber. It allows a reliable quantitative determination of the flare and the number of cells in the aqueous humor. The aqueous flare intensities are significantly decreased by short-acting mydriatic agents such as 0.5% tropicamide and phenylephrine. Diurnal variations and an increase of the aqueous flare with increasing age were demonstrated.