iridectomy

iridectomy /iri·dec·to·my/ (-me) excision of part of the iris.

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ir·i·dec·to·my (r-dkt-m, r-)

n.

Surgical removal of part of the iris of the eye.

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iridectomy

[ī′ridek′təmē]

Etymology: Gk, iris, rainbow, ektomē, excision

surgical removal of part of the iris of the eye. It is performed most often to restore drainage of the aqueous humor in glaucoma or to remove a foreign body or a malignant tumor. An incision is made through the cornea, and the iris is grasped with forceps or a hook and drawn out through the incision. The affected area is cut away, and the elastic iris is allowed to slip back into place. Subjunctival antibiotics may be instilled, and an eye pad is applied. After surgery, the patient is observed for signs of local hemorrhage or excessive pain.

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iridectomy [ir″ĭ-dek´to-me]

excision of a full-thickness piece of the iris.

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iridectomy

excision of part of the iris.

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peripheral iridectomy

the peripheral or basal portion is removed.

sector iridectomy

a sector, from pupillary margin to base, is removed.

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iridectomy

The surgical removal of part of the iris. The main reasons for iridectomy are to reduce the intraocular pressure, to enlarge an abnormally small pupil, to excise an iris tumour and, in cataract extraction, to prevent possible blockage of the angle of the anterior chamber. Nowadays, laser iridotomy is preferred in the treatment of angle-closure glaucoma because the incision obtained by this technique can be carried out as an outpatient procedure with only topical anaesthesia, although the cornea must not be hazy (Fig. I16). See iridotomy.

Fig. I16 Large sector iridectomy, which has been performed to excise an iris melanoma

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iridectomy

Eye surgery Partial excision of the iris, see there