Sectoral Distribution of Goniosynechiae

IT is the general opinion that, in eyes suffering from closed-angle glaucoma, goniosynechiae are not uncommon, especially if such eyes have had an acute or sub-acute attack of hypertension. The present investigation has been undertaken to ascertain whether these goniosynechiae are distributed at random round the angle or, as clinical impression suggests, tend to occur more in the upper than the lower half; it includes a similar survey of closed- angle glaucoma in the chronic phase and of simple glaucoma. Barkan (1938) mentioned that peripheral anterior synechiae tend to occur first superiorly in the angle. Material The observations made by gonioscopy are recorded for every patient attending the Glaucoma Clinic at the Institute of Ophthalmology. These patients come mainly from Moorfields, Westminster and Central Eye Hospital, although some are sent from other sources. They are often problem cases and are referred for assessment by special investigations such as outflow tests which are difficult to arrange in a busy out-patient department. This sample is not therefore selected at random from London's glaucoma population but bias which may be present can hardly affect these gonioscopy records.