gonioscopy Flashcards
(43 cards)
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
what are the 2 methods of gonio
- Direct visualisation of the angle (not really used)
- Indirect visualisation of the angle
how is direct gonio done
- Patients lie supine
- Give a direct stereoscopic, panoramic view of the angle
- Were mostly use in children/ babies
- Direct gonioscopy is performed with a steeply convex lens, which permits light from the angle to exit the eye closer to the perpendicular at the interface between the lens and the air.
The Koeppe lens (3 6), which is a 50-diopter lens, is placed on the eye of a recumbent patient using saline to bridge the gap between lens and cornea (3 7).
The examiner views the angle through a hand-held binocular microscope, which is counterbalanced to permit ease of handling. Illumination is provided by a light source that is held in the other hand (3 8). The Koeppe lens magnifies ×1.5. This, in combination with the ×16 magnification of the oculars, yields a total magnification of ×24. There are Koeppe lenses in several sizes to suit infants to adults.
advantages of direct gonio
- Good magnification (1.5x)
- Easy orientation for the observer
- Possible to simultaneously compare both eyes
- For high magnificiation need an illuminated loupe or a slit lamp
- Can be used in bedbound patients
- Very little corneal distortion
- Wide field of view for teaching
disadvantages of direct gonio
- Time consuming
- Requires large working area
- May require assistant
- Requires separate illumination & magnification (or Hand-held slit-lamp)
- Low magnification (depends on SL), if slit lamp not used poor mag
- Cannot create optic section to locate Schwalbe’s line
- Poor for detail (depends on SL)
what is direct lens used for direct gonio eg the koeppe lens
- +50D concave base curve; Convex outer surface.
- Diameter of 17, 18, 19, 22.5mm.(can be used for different ages)
- Magnification 1.5x
- Image: Erect, Virtual
- Saline/coupling fluid required to bridge the gap between the cornea and the lens
- Handheld slit lamp and external light source required to achieve view
indirect gonio advantages
- Focal illumination allows location of Schwalbe’s line (can do corneal wedge, technique can be used to see)
- Magnified view of angle
- Excellent for fine detail
- Stable image (seated on slit lamp)
- Technically simple to use
- Useful for laser treatment
- Can use ordinary slit lamp
- Px sitting up (or supine for surgical microscope)
- Photography (video) recording possible
- Variety of lenses available
- Surgical applications
disadvantages of indirect gonioscopy
- Poor lateral view (stereopsis difficult)?
- Uncomfortable for Px, same for direct
- Requires coupling fluid (Not always- depends on the lens)
- Observations reversed
- Small field of view (use rotational scan technique) – need to scan
- Cost of Lenses
- Reversed image
- Need to remember that view in superior mirror is of inferior angle
- Difficulty for patient to complete perimetry and have fundus photos taken after flange lens used due to coupling fluid