Surgical Optical Iridectomy

In cases of obstruction of the visual axis secondary to pupillary and/or iris abnormalities, it may be necessary to perform an optical iridectomy to increase pupil size, provide a larger visual field, and to prevent amblyopia. Surgical optical iridectomy involves creating and/or enlarging the pupil size by physically removing iris obstruction from the visual axis. If there are iridolenticular adhesions, with violation of the lens capsule, the ophthalmologist may consider a combined lensectomy-iridectomy. In cases of aphakia or pseudophakia, where there may be presentation of vitreous, the ophthalmologist should be prepared to perform an anterior vitrectomy, if needed. The patient/guardian(s) should be informed of the need for further surgery, poor cosmesis, corectopia, photopsias, or other visual disturbances postoperatively.