Iris bombé and the intermediate mesoderm in closed-angle glaucoma.

THmRE has been a recent revival of interest in the operation of peripheral iridectomy for subacute intermittent closed-angle glaucoma. This is partly because it is an operation of small risk which is effective, if its indications are respected. Its chief value is in subacute closed-angle glaucoma before peripheral anterior synechiae have formed and as a prophylactic measure when the fellow eye has suffered from an acute congestive attack. The revival of interest is also related to present-day ideas on the aetiology of closed-angle glaucoma. Those who believe in the mechanism of relative pupillary, block find in its success confirmation of their theoretical conclusions with regard to the importance ofiris bombe as a factor in the aetiology of this type of glaucoma. The operation was described by Pfluiger (1893-4); it was modified and recommended in America by Curran (1920) and in Europe by Baenziger (1922). Precise indications for the operation have gradually become apparent through the work of Barkan (1938, 1939, 1954a,b), Chandler (1952), Chandler and Trotter (1955), and Haas and Scheie (1952).