Iridectomy
Large peripheral iridectomy deforms pupil
Other names	Surgical iridectomy
ICD-9-CM	12.1
MeSH	D032801
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An iridectomy, also known as a surgical iridectomy or corectomy,^[1] is the surgical removal of part of the iris.^[2][1] These procedures are most frequently performed in the treatment of closed-angle glaucoma and iris melanoma.^[1]

Comparison with Nd:YAG laser iridotomy

In acute angle-closure glaucoma cases, surgical iridectomy has been superseded by Nd:YAG laser iridotomy, because the laser procedure is much safer. Opening the globe for a surgical iridectomy in a patient with high intraocular pressure greatly increases the risk of suprachoroidal hemorrhage, with potential for associated expulsive hemorrhage. Nd:YAG laser iridotomy avoids such a catastrophe by using a laser to create a hole in the iris, which facilitates flow of aqueous humor from the posterior to the anterior chamber of the eye.^[3]

Current indications

Surgical iridectomy is commonly indicated and performed in the following cases:^{[citation needed]}

• Cataract surgery in a glaucoma patient
• Combined procedure for cataract and glaucoma
• Acute closed-angle glaucoma
• Posterior capsular tears with vitreous loss
• Implantation of anterior chamber IOL.
• Vitreoretinal procedure involving injection of silicone oil. The location of the iridectomy in such cases is at 6 o'clock, as opposed to routine iridectomy done at 11 to 1 o'clock. This is because silicone oil is less dense than water.
• Iris trauma

Types

• An antiphogistic iridectomy is the surgical removal of part of the iris to reduce intraocular pressure in inflammatory conditions of the eye.^[2]
• A basal iridectomy is an iridectomy which includes the root of the iris.^[2]
• An optical iridectomy is the surgical removal of part of the iris to enlarge the existing pupil, or to form an artificial pupil, when the natural pupil is ineffectual.^[2]
• A peripheral iridectomy is the surgical removal of a portion of the iris in the region of its root, leaving the pupillary margin and sphincter pupillae muscle intact.^[2] It is used in the treatment of glaucoma.^[1]
• A preliminary iridectomy, or preparatory iridectomy, is the surgical removal of part of the iris preceding cataract extraction.^[2] It facilitates the removal of the cataractous lens.^[1]
• A sector iridectomy, also known as a complete iridectomy or total iridectomy, is the surgical removal of a complete radial section of the iris extending from the pupillary margin to the root of the iris.^[2] A key-hole pupil is left by the removal of a wedge-shaped section of iris.^[4]
• A stenopeic iridectomy is the surgical removal of a narrow slit or a minute portion of the iris, leaving the sphincter pupillae muscle intact.^[2]
• A therapeutic iridectomy is the surgical removal of a portion of the iris for the cure or prevention of an ocular disease.^[2]