The association of rubeosis iridis with endothelialisation of the anterior chamber: report of a clinical case with histopathological review of 16 additional cases.

A patient is reported in whom the clinical observation of extension of the corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane in association with rubeosis iridis was confirmed by histopathological examination. In a study of eyes which had been removed and demonstrated rubeosis iridis and secondary glaucoma in 16 additional eyes revealed extension of the corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane on to the anterior iris surface. In all instances the transition occurred at the pseudoangle formed by the attachment of peripheral anterior synechiae. The suggestion is made that the fibrovascular membrane of rubeosis iridis is the stimulus which excites the extension of the endothelium on to the iris surface. The association between rubeosis iridis and extension of the corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane on to the iris has not been previously appreciated.