Table of Contents
What is the purpose of iridectomy?
An iridectomy is an iris resection procedure where a portion of its tissue is removed treat an eye condition that affects directly or indirectly the iris, the part of the eye that helps control the size of the pupil to improve the focus of light. It is found immediately after the cornea.
What is a sector iridectomy?
A sector iridectomy, also known as a complete iridectomy or total iridectomy, is the surgical removal of a complete radial section of the iris extending from the pupillary margin to the root of the iris. A key-hole pupil is left by the removal of a wedge-shaped section of iris.
What does peripheral iridectomy mean?
Peripheral iridectomy: A surgical procedure in which a hole is made in the periphery (outer part) of the iris by removing a full-thickness piece from the iris in order to treat a specific type of glaucoma called narrow-angle glaucoma (or angle-closure glaucoma).
What is iridotomy iridectomy by laser surgery?
Laser iridotomy, also called laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI), is a method by which ophthalmologists create a microscopic hole in the iris using a laser to open the angle (or internal drainage system of the eye) in patients with narrow or closed angles.
How long does iridotomy surgery take?
The procedure usually takes 5-10 minutes and some patients may experience minor pain.
What is the success rate of laser iridotomy?
Success rates of laser iridotomy have been reported to be from 65-76%,7,8 and are relatively low in patients of east Asian descent. Identifying factors associated with successful laser iridotomy for patients with AACG would be quite helpful in designing a proper treatment plan for each patient after laser iridotomy.
Is iridotomy a safe procedure?
However, laser iridotomy has low risk of side effects and is a very safe procedure that prevents a potentially devastating eye condition.
What are the risks of laser iridotomy?
What are the risks? Possible risks include, rise in eye pressure, bleeding at the laser site, and inflammation; these are usually temporary. Closure of the iridotomy may occur, requiring retreatment. Extra visual images including bright lights or flashes, or double vision in the treated eye, may rarely occur.
Can you go blind from laser iridotomy?
Laser iridotomy is specific eye surgery that treats angle-closure glaucoma. Angle-closure glaucoma is when the iris stops fluid (called aqueous) from leaving the front of the eye as it should. Pressure in the eye raises quickly and the optic nerve is damaged. This is a serious problem that can cause blindness.
Which is worse laser iridotomy or surgical iridectomy?
Surgical iridectomy has more significant risks than laser iridotomy and is rarely used anymore. The other alternative is to do nothing, which runs the risk of an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma that may be difficult to control and cause serious visual damage.
How does An iridotomy work to make the iris smaller?
An iridotomy involves the use of surgical instruments—or more often, a laser—to punch a tiny, half-millimeter hole in the iris through which the trapped fluid can drain. First, an eye drop known as pilocarpine is applied to the eye in order to constrict the pupil (make it smaller), thereby making the iris thinner as its tissue expands.
Can a laser iridotomy be a substitute for glaucoma drops?
Yes. Laser iridotomy is not a substitute for glaucoma eye drops in most cases if the patient is already on medication prior to the procedure. 10. How long does the effect last? Although the angle widens in most cases after laser, normal age-related changes may subsequently alter the angle region.
How long does it take for laser iridotomy in the eye?
The eye is usually pretreated about half an hour before the procedure with drops that make the pupil small. Just before the procedure, anesthetic drops are placed to numb the surface of the eye, a lens is then placed on the eye to perform the laser. The procedure usually takes 5-10 minutes and some patients may experience minor pain.