Patient Services
Special Procedures
Iris Reconstruction:
The function of the iris as a light limiting diaphragm has been recognized for several thousand years. Initial attempts to modify the iris and pupil were pharmacologic in character. The role of epinephrine and muscarinic agents have been recognized and utilized clinically for well over 100 years. The concept of surgically modifying or repairing the iris did not receive much attention until 1917 when Key first wrote about his efforts at repairing an iridodialysis by suturing the iris edge to the sclera. Iris-to-iris repair was first described by Emmerich in 1957. Neither of these contributions attracted significant attention when initially published. In large part this was because suitable equipment to facilitate surgical reconstruction, namely the operating microscope and microsurgical instrumentation, were not readily available.
Today, we give little thought to the limitations of the past and look for new or novel approaches to repair the iris or restore pupillary function. Drops, sutures, various lasers, tattoo pigments, and intraocular iris prostheses are but a few of the approaches currently utilized by the doctors of Michigan Cornea Consultants when iris defects require repair.
 |
 |
|||
| Segmental iris defects and iris root detachment | ||||
 |
 |
|||
| Special pigments can be embedded in the cornea to hide corneal scars and to block light from entering the eye through iris defects. | ||||