Total iridectomy in the primate in vivo: surgical technique and postoperative anatomy.

A simple, brief surgical procedure for in vivo removal of the entire primate iris is described. A small peripheral corneal incision is made, and the prolapsed iris is torn from its insertion by forceps, without intraocular instrumentation. The eye recovers quickly and, except for the aniridia, the clinical and histologic appearance of the anterior segment is essentially normal. Experimental uses for the aniridic monkey eye are noted.