Why?

[Mitchy7]

Why won't doctors admit that iridotomy can have serious side effects and even cause blindness? All Forums about glaucoma are full of patients complaining about adverse effects of iridotomy. When will ophthalmologiss wake up?


This discussion is related to Iridotomy.

[JohnHaganMD]

There is a big difference between a laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) and a surgical iridotomy made with a knife or scissors while operating inside the eye. The LPI is extremely tiny and would likely be impossible to suture shut. I have never heard of anyone ever attempting it.  New research has found that if the LPI is put at the 3 or 9 o'clock position in the iris rather than the 12 o'clock position used for many years that ghosting, arcs of light, or double vision is prevented.  A surgical iridotomy is totally different deal.

a LPI is a very low risk procedure and is usually done to prevent acute angle closure glaucoma which can blind an eye in several hours. LPI are very commonly needed in Asian and Eskimo eyes.

[lisam88]

I am curios if you had the hole stitched and if it worked. I am dealing with this right now. I saw a specialist today who said she could stitch it but there is a good possibility that she could poke the lens and cause an immediate cataract that she would have to remove. She didn't think it was a good idea and spoke to a corneal specialist who suggested I get a dark contact lens for that eye. Just wanted to know if you had it stitched and if that worked?

[marjnev]

the eyedr uses rapid laser to pinpoint area in colored part of the eye, punctures hole in each, to relieve eye pressure or collapsing canals thru which fluid passes in healthy eyes...it is painless, and only a topical anesthetic is used...

[sflinn]

i have a fairly large iridectomy my ex surgeon gave me in my grafted eye. She screwed up my cataract surgery did another one and set the lens in the sulcus . I bumped my eye and the lens went sideways up through my pupil and blocked it. I called and saw the on call dr he sent me home til the next morning with a sight threatening condition. I am now seeing another surgeon that did a transplant on my other eye and he is going to stitch closed. I have all of the glare and miserable vision that has been talked about in the forum he was very aware of this condition. and said its been to court

[dan2233]

what is an iridotomy?? whats the point??

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

It is  very, very rare to have a complication that causes blindness from a laser iridotomy.  I have never seen it in over 45 years.

Dr. O.