[Long-term results following preventive iridectomy. A retrospective study].

The frequency of complications after surgical iridectomy in angle-closure glaucoma is normally considered low. In order to estimate the influence of the surgical intervention independent from other factors (such as ischemia caused by angle-closure, progression of glaucomatous disease, medical treatment), 35 eyes that had undergone a prophylactic iridectomy because of acute angle closure of the contralateral eye were investigated retrospectively. The mean follow-up time of the 35 eyes was 6.1 years. None of the prophylactically iridectomized eyes developed angle-closure during follow-up. No significant change in visual acuity was present in the group of patients less than 65 years of age (n = 12). This group had a preoperative visual acuity of 0.85 +/- 0.18 and a visual acuity of 0.81 +/- 0.20 at the last visit. A considerable decrease in visual acuity, however, was found in the group of patients more than 65 years of age (n = 23). This group had a preoperative visual acuity of 0.64 +/- 0.24 and a visual acuity of 0.36 +/- 0.23 at the last visit. Biomicroscopically, one eye (8%) in the age group less than 65 years developed further lens opacity, whereas 15 eyes (65%) in the age group more than 65 years developed further lens opacity. In 2 eyes in the older group a cataract operation was performed. Five eyes developed posterior synechiae; in all of these eyes cataract formation increased. The results indicate that cataract progresses more rapidly after iridectomy if the patients are older.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)