Type of Surgery
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Last updated: 11/24/2009
An alternative to laser iridotomy is surgical iridectomy, a procedure in which part of the iris is removed surgically. This was the procedure of choice prior to the development of laser iridotomy. The risks for iridectomy are greater than for...
the laser iridotomy, because it involves an incision through the sclera, the white tunic covering of the eye that surrounds the cornea. The most common complication of an iridectomy is cataract formation, occurring in more than 50% of patients who have had a surgical iridectomy. Since an incision in the eye is required for surgical iridectomy, other procedures, such as filtration surgery—if needed in the future—will be more difficult to perform. Studies comparing the visual outcomes and IOP control of laser iridotomy with surgical iridectomy show equivalent results.
In the case of acute angle closures that occur because of reasons other than, or in addition to pupillary block, argon laser peripheral iridoplasty is performed. During this procedure, several long burns of low power are placed in the periphery of the iris. The iris contracts and pulls away from the angle, opening it up and relieving the IOP.
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Any object that we see is a collection of light energy focused on the retina. The lens of the eye helps us see near and far things equally well. This animation describes how the lens of the eye changes to accommodate and focus light.
Normally intraocular fluid flows freely between the anterior and posterior sections of the eye (A). As pressure builds in the eye, this circulation is cut off (B). In laser iridotomy, a special lens is placed on the eye (C). A laser is used to create a hole in part of the iris (D), allowing fluid to flow more normally and intraocular pressure to return to normal (E). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)
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Laser iridotomy is a surgical procedure that is performed on the eye to treat angle closure glaucoma, a condition of increased pressure in the front chamber (anterior chamber) that is caused by sudden (acute) or slowly progressive (chronic) blockage of the normal circulation of fluid within the eye. The block occurs at the angle of the anterior chamber that is formed by the junction of the cornea with the iris. All one needs to do to see this angle is to look at a person's eye from the side. Angle closure of the eye occurs when the trabecular meshwork, the drainage site for ocular fluid, is blocked by the iris. Laser iridotomy was first used to treat angle closures in 1956. During this procedure, a hole is made in the iris of the eye, changing its configuration. When this occurs, the iris moves away from the trabecular meshwork, and proper drainage of the intraocular fluid is enabled.
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Surgeons aim for results of 20/20 or better so that you can perform most daily activities without your glasses. However, there is a possibility that after surgery, you may need to wear reading glasses or corrective lenses for at least some activities.
-Eye Surgery Education Council
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