Iridocycloretraction in closed-angle glaucoma.

A small series of patients who underwent iridocycloretraction between 1969 and 1976 is analysed. All patients had previously undergone peripheral iridectomy for primary angle-closure glaucoma, and all had 360 degrees of peripheral anterior synechiae, as seen with the gonioscope. It was found that iridocycloretraction was successful in an unacceptably low percentage of cases, and its success was related to whether subconjunctival drainage was established. There was no clinical evidence to support the theory that its main mode of action was to permit access of aqueous to the trabecular meshwork. Therefore it has no practical advantages over other procedures which establish subconjunctival filtration.