What is iridectomy?
Excision of an iris tumor, together with adjacent iris.
How is it performed?
What are the indications?
Iris melanoma not exceeding two clock hours of iris.
What are the contra-indications?
What are the intra-operative complications?
What are the post-operative complications?
Excision of an iris tumor, together with adjacent iris.
How is it performed?
- The operation is performed under local or general anesthesia.
- A corneal incision is made at the limbus (i.e., at the edge of the cornea).
- A sectorial iris excision is performed.
- The edges of the iris wound are sutured together, if possible, to re-form the pupil.
- The cornea is closed.
What are the indications?
Iris melanoma not exceeding two clock hours of iris.
What are the contra-indications?
- Iris melanoma exceeding two clock hours in circumferential extent.
- Diffuse iris melanoma, with indistinct margins.
- Availability of other methods such as proton beam or plaque radiotherapy.
- Tumor extension to the angle, which would require iridocyclectomy.
What are the intra-operative complications?
- Incomplete tumor excision.
- Lens damage.
- Corneal endothelial damage.
- Hemorrhage.
What are the post-operative complications?
- Local tumor recurrence, which can occur after many years.
- Cataract from lens damage.
- Corneal edema ('waterlogging') from endothelial damage.