Iris sphincterotomy, iridotomy, and synechiotomy by linear incision with the argon laser.

Linear cuts can be made across the iris fibers by multiple 0.01- to 0.05-second duration argon laser burns delivered through an Abraham iridectomy lens. Intrinsic iris tension will then cause the linear cuts to spread apart. This allows enlargement, reshaping, or repositioning of the pupil and large laser iridotomies with minimal burn energies and a very high percentage of success. The technique minimizes risk to the retina and eliminates the need for stretch burns in laser iridotomy. It requires the use of the Abraham lens and an argon laser, which generates a small spot of high power density. Posterior synechiae can be incised by using a line of low-power 0.01- or 0.02-second burns applied to the adherent pigment epithelium along the iris margin.