MODIFIED CORNEAL INCISION WITH IRIDODIALYSIS AND IRIDECTOMY FOR OPENING THE ANTERIOR CHAMBER ANGLE

Abstract

WHEN one visualizes the point of attack in making the incision for the conventional iridectomy, one cannot but be impressed with the fact that the very area, namely, the angle of the anterior chamber, which should be kept patent, is in serious danger of being subsequently closed by cicatricial contraction or resultant inflammatory changes as a direct consequence of the location of the incision. The keratome is plunged through a site in proximity to, and probably at times embracing, Schlemm's canal. An area which should be kept free is traumatized, with the possibility of producing conditions worse than the primary one. The question arises: "How can one expect to have a freely draining canal after the cut has been made through or near it and subsequent closure by cicatricial or inflammatory changes has taken place?" It seems to border on the impossible; yet a certain percentage of basal iridectomies