Disorders of perfusion of the anterior segment of the eye

• Published in: Australian and New Zealand journal of ophthalmology Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 169 - 187
• Main Authors: Gillies, William E., Brooks, Anne MV
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.1996
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ageing segment; anterior; Anterior Eye Segment - blood supply; Atrophy; Chronic Disease; Female; Fluorescein Angiography; Humans; hypoperfusion; Iris - blood supply; Iris - pathology; iris angiography; Iris Diseases - pathology; iris ischaemia; Ischemia - pathology; Male; Middle Aged; neovascularisation; Neovascularization, Pathologic - pathology; perfusion; specular microscopy; vascular changes
• ISSN: 0814-9763; 1440-1606
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.1996.tb01579.x

Background: We have investigated the vascular perfusion of a wide variety of conditions of the anterior segment using fluorescein angiography. Methods: The conditions were classified and findings reported according to the system set out below. Patients underwent full ocular examination. Fluorescein angiography of the anterior segment was carried out when indicated to investigate iris atrophy and neovascularisation. Specular microscopy of the corneal endothelium was used to detect changes in this tissue. Results: The hypoperfusion was variable in degree and accompanied by varying degrees of iris hypoplasia and atrophy with neovascularisation. The degree of neovascularisation depended upon its rapidity of development, the pre‐existing state of vascular perfusion and the underlying pathological condition. Conclusions: Hypoperfusion with resultant ischaemia and neovascularisation is common in conditions of the anterior segment. An understanding of the changes is valuable in treating many conditions affecting the anterior segment. The changes observed may also occur elsewhere in the physical system and may be a significant part of the ageing process, either as scattered, disparate processes or as part of a general disease process.