Modified McCannel Iridoplasty Simulating Basal Iridectomy for Silicone Oil Tamponade in Aphakia and Partial Aniridia

Background

Silicone oil tamponade in aphakia carries the risk of oil migration into the anterior chamber with the possibility of toxic effects such as a marked decrease in endothelial cell density and corneal decompensation [1]. In normal eyes an inferior iridotomy can prevent this movement and papillary block [2], [3], [4], [5], but in the case of aniridia such an iridotomy is not possible. In these circumstances it has been proposed to implant an artificial iris diaphragm to keep the silicone oil bubble away from the cornea with varying postoperative results [6], [7], [8], [9].

Herein we describe a new surgical technique in a patient with a traumatic iris avulsion and total retinal detachment where the silicone oil bubble could be retained in the posterior chamber by a simple modified McCannel iridoplasty, whereby the suture across the very large pupillary plane created the functional equivalent of a basal iridotomy.

• References

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