Iris neovascularisation in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

The iris vascular bed of eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome has been studied with electron microscopy. Two of the eyes suffered from painful glaucoma, whereas the third showed normal intraocular pressure. The following changes were observed: (1) deposits of pseudoexfoliation material lying adjacent to the endothelial wall; (2) thin vessel basement membrane, sometimes even interrupted; (3) extreme reduction of vessel lumina through increased volume of the endothelial cells; (4) fenestration of the endothelial wall. It is suggested that the iris neovascularisation in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome is due to an obstruction of iris vessels causing tissue hypoxia.