Goniotomy for Glaucoma Associated With Aniridia

GLAUCOMA is often associated with aniridia (irideremia). On clinical examination the iris appears totally absent, but histologically a narrow rim of iris of varying width and some persistent mesodermal tissue in the angle have been found in all cases. In many the pigment epithelium overlaps the stump of the iris, as in an ectropion. According to Parsons,1the stump of iris is often adherent to the sclera at the extreme limit of the anterior chamber over a considerable portion of the circumference; part of the angle is usually open, and through this efficient filtration is maintained until some intercurrent cause leads to obliteration. It is believed that the imperfect separation of the iris from the cornea at the periphery is due to arrested development. Recently Callahan2reported histologic findings in a case of aniridia with a rudimentary iris, which varied slightly in size but was about 1 mm.