iridectomy

An iridectomy, also known as a surgical iridectomy or corectomy, is the surgical removal of part of the iris. These procedures are most frequently performed in the treatment of closed-angle glaucoma and iris melanoma. ==Comparison with Nd:YAG laser iridotomy== thumb|Ancient Hindu and modern iridectomy knives In acute angle-closure glaucoma cases, surgical iridectomy has been superseded by Nd:YAG laser iridotomy, because the laser procedure is much safer. Opening the globe for a surgical iridectomy in a patient with high intraocular pressure greatly increases the risk of suprachoroidal hemorrhage, with potential for associated expulsive hemorrhage. Nd:YAG laser iridotomy avoids such a catastrophe by using a laser to create a hole in the iris, which facilitates flow of aqueous humor from the posterior to the anterior chamber of the eye.

==Current indications== Surgical iridectomy is commonly indicated and performed in the following cases: Cataract surgery in a glaucoma patient Combined procedure for cataract and glaucoma Acute closed-angle glaucoma Posterior capsular tears with vitreous loss Implantation of anterior chamber IOL. Vitreoretinal procedure involving injection of silicone oil. The location of the iridectomy in such cases is at 6 o'clock, as opposed to routine iridectomy done at 11 to 1 o'clock. This is because silicone oil is less dense than water. Iris trauma