gonioscopy Flashcards
from what degrees is the posterior pigmented trabecular meshwork not visible
Using Gonioscopy, if ≥270 degrees of posterior pigmented trabecular meshwork is not visible
normal angle structure in gonio
- I - Iris
- Can – Ciliary Body (pigmented tissue)
- See – Scleral Spur (white tissue)
- The – Trabecular Meshwork (there is pigmented then there is non pigmented)
- Line – Schwalbe’s Line (most anterior structure to the iridocorneal angle, differentiates the angle tissue from the peripheral cornea)
which structures in gonio have a different texture
Peripheral iris issue and ciliary body base (darkly pigmented) have a different texture, colour can be similar – depends.
what are healthy blood vessels that are seen in gonio
vessels travelling in the same direction of the iris tissue – not crossing any structures, – healthy eye
what are iris processes and who are they more common in
- Small, usually tenuous extensions of the anterior iris surface that insert at the level of the scleral spur and cover the ciliary body to a varying extent – lacy in appearance
- Present in around a third of normal individuals, most prominent in brown eyes and in children
what could iris processes be confused with
- Not to be confused with Peripheral anterior synechaie which can insert more anteriorly and are more substantial/broader – not lacey structure like iris processes
where is the ciliary body base/ face what colour is it
- Sits between the peripheral iris and the scleral spur
- Can be pink, brown or slate grey
what is the ciliary body base/ face dependant on and is it in everyone
- It’s width depends on the position of iris insertion and tends to be narrower in hyperopes than myopes (wider band in myopes)
- The angle recess represents the posterior dipping of the iris as it inserts into the ciliary body (change in curvature)
- It may not be visible in all eyes due to physiological anterior iris insertion
- May be irregular in appearance – might see in some areas and not others – means wider at those points
where is the scleral spur and what colour is it
- The scleral spur is the most anterior projection of the sclera and the site of attachment of the longitudinal muscle of the ciliary body
- On gonioscopy it can be seen posterior to the pigmented trabecular meshwork and anterior to the ciliary body base
- Appears as a narrow white band
- Becomes more yellow with age
where is the trabecular meshwork
- Sits between the scleral spur and Shwalbe’s line
the non pigmented trabecular meshwork purpose and location
- The anterior portion bordering Schwalbes line is non pigmented and it is non-functional
the pigmented trabecular meshwork purpose and location
- The posterior, (pigmented) functional portion borders the scleral spur, the level of pigmentation in this portion varies from pale to dark brown, allows drainage of aqueous
the flow of aqueous from the trabecular meshwork
- 90% of aqueous leaves via the trabecular meshwork via episcleral venous system
- Flow is pressure dependent, flow increases as IOP increases
- For aqueous to exit the eye by this route, the intraocular pressure must be higher than the episcleral venous pressure. At pressures below episcleral venous pressure (8 to 15 mm Hg), all aqueous outflow must be via nonconventional routes
schlemm’s canal location and purpose
- Positioned at the base of the scleral sulcus, most often not visible during gonioscopy
- Not a rigid structure, therefore at high intra ocular pressure the canal collapses and resistance to aqueous outflow increases
- Traditional drainage through episcleral venous system, the aqueous is drained through the trabecular meshwork and is collected in Schlemm’s canal and exits
- Not visible in most eyes, some eyes it is a plexus rather than a single vessel
The longitudinal muscle of the ciliary body can open Schlemm’s canal by pulling on the scleral spur. Cholinergic drugs (by using this route) decrease resistance to outflow through this action.
what can happen to schlemms canal when the IOP is too high
- When there is high IOP the canal can collapse, the resistance to aqueous outflow can increase – problems with drainage – also problems when the pressure is too low (lower than the episcleral venous system then wont drain out)
location of schwalbe’s line and colour
- It is the Boundary between the trabecular meshwork and the corneal endothelium
- (It is a change in curvature)
- Can be some pigment settling in this area due to steeper curvature than scleral sulcus
lightly pigmented
aim for success in gonioscopy
need to overcome total internal reflection