Slit-lamp visualization of aqueous flow through an inferior iridectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate how an inferior iridectomy prevents a pupillary block in aphakic patients with a silicone oil tamponade.


METHODS
Observational case series.


METHODS
Photographs of two patients who had undergone vitrectomy, lensectomy, membrane peeling, silicone oil tamponade, and inferior iridectomy for a complex retinal detachment were evaluated.


RESULTS
In the thin layer of erythrocytes covering the endothelium, we observed an arc clear of erythrocytes anterior to the inferior iridectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
With silicone oil blocking the pupil, aqueous humor was channeled through the inferior iridectomy with sufficient force to sweep the endothelium anterior to the iridectomy clean of erythrocytes, thus visualizing the mechanism that prevents a pupillary block glaucoma.
van Meurs
Jan C
JC
Rotterdam Eye Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. janvanmeurs@cs.com
D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism*; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000601:surgery; D015812:Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D032801:Iridectomy; D007498:Iris / Q000378:metabolism*; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000601:surgery; D010781:Photography; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000601:surgery; D012827:Silicone Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014821:Vitrectomy
D012827:Silicone Oils