Peripheral iridectomy via a corneal section: a follow-up study.

A method of performing peripheral iridectomy through a corneal incision is described. Of the fifty patients reviewed, there were no immediate postoperative complications. In the follow-up period the incidence of lens opacities associated with visual loss was 16% and 21% in the prophylactic and therapeutic groups respectively. The percentage of posterior synechiae in the prophylactic group was 16%. Ninety-three percent of patients had a visual acuity of 6/12 or better at the end of the follow-up period. When compared with the results of previous surveys, the method is as safe as the ab externo approach. The technique avoids bleeding and leaves the bulbar conjunctiva undamaged and available for any subsequent drainage procedure.