Iris Diseases

Abstract: The authors present their experience with the evaluation and follow-up of 62 patients with primary cysts of the iris, discuss their clinical and pathological features, and propose a simple classification for these lesions. The results suggest that the great majority of primary iris cysts, particularly those which arise from the iris pigment epithelial layers, are stationary lesions which rarely progress or cause visual complications. This finding is contradictory to the belief of certain authorities who stress that many such lesions lead to severe complications, with blindness and loss of the eye. The natural course of primary epithelial cysts differs from that of secondary iris cysts which follow surgical or nonsurgical trauma. The latter lesions do frequently enlarge and lead to severe complications such as inflammation and glaucoma. The major clinical importance of primary iris cysts lies in their similarity to neoplasms of the iris and ciliary body. It is concluded that the great majority of them are ophthalmic curiosities which require no treatment.

Abstract: Aim: To assess the association of floppy iris behaviour during cataract surgery with use of α-1-antagonists and diabetes mellitus. Methods: 1842 eyes of 1786 patients undergoing phacohoemulsification surgery were prospectively enrolled. The use of commonly prescribed α-1-antagonists and the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus were noted. The occurrence of any of the features of the intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) was noted by surgeons blinded to the patient’s history. Results: 57% of patients receiving tamsulosin showed features of IFIS compared with 1% of the non-tamsulosin group (p<0.001). Of these, more than half the patients manifested the syndrome in an incomplete form. Only 1 of the 51 patients receiving other α-1-antagonists had IFIS. Diabetes was also not associated with IFIS (p = 1). Conclusions: Tamsulosin is significantly associated with floppy iris behaviour during cataract surgery. But not all of these patients will necessarily show all or any features of IFIS. The floppy iris syndrome is likely to represent a continuum of severity. Various undefined factors, diabetes not being one of them, may have a contributory role. Non-selective α-1-antagonists are unlikely to be associated with IFIS.