Atypical presentation of bilateral iridoschisis with abnormal visibility of iris vessels: Role of anterior segment optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Purpose

To describe clinical and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) findings in a patient with bilateral iridoschisis and unilateral angle closure glaucoma (ACG) associated with abnormal visibility of iris vessels.

Case presentation

A 67-year-old male patient with a history of red and painful left eye (LE) one year earlier, presented to our ophthalmology department for a routine examination.

Ophthalmic examination of the right eye revealed narrow anterior chamber with sectorial iris atrophy associated to abnormal visibility of an iris vessel. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was 12 mmHg with normal optic disc appearance. LE anterior chamber was narrow with diffuse iris atrophy and abnormal vessels visibility. IOP was 28 mmHg with an important optic disc excavation. On gonioscopy, angle was narrow without neovessels nor synechiae. AS-OCT of both eyes revealed shallow angles, iris splitting with material release in the anterior chamber, while pigmented epithelium was preserved

Anti-glaucoma eye drops were prescribed and peripheral laser iridotomy was performed in both eyes with decreased IOP at 14 mmHg in the LE.

Conclusion

Iridoschisis is a rare ocular condition characterized by a separation between the anterior and posterior layers of iris stroma with several clinical presentations, and may be associated with abnormal visibility of iris vessels in some cases. The diagnosis of iridoschisis may be challenging and AS-OCT can be a very useful tool to confirm the diagnosis in atypical presentations and to detect associated angle closure.