Anterior chamber angle in aniridia with and without glaucoma

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Genetics
• Anatomic studies

Background:

• Aniridia is a congenital eye condition often associated with glaucoma.
• The anterior chamber angle in aniridia is typically considered open, but its status in the presence of glaucoma requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if patients with aniridia and glaucoma exhibit open anterior chamber angles.
• To compare angle status between aniridia patients with and without glaucoma using high-resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) and gonioscopy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective comparative study of 43 patients (86 eyes) with aniridia.
• Utilized anterior segment OCT and clinical gonioscopy to assess anterior chamber angles.
• Compared angle status in 27 eyes with aniridia and glaucoma versus 16 eyes with aniridia but no glaucoma.

Main Results:

• The majority of eyes with aniridia and glaucoma (93%) had open anterior chamber angles.
• No significant difference in open angle proportion was found between aniridia eyes with and without glaucoma (P=0.32).
• All eyes with aniridia and closed angles had a history of prior ocular surgery (cataract, glaucoma, or keratopathy).

Conclusions:

• Eyes with aniridia and glaucoma generally maintain open anterior chamber angles, similar to those without glaucoma.
• A history of ocular surgery is a significant factor associated with angle closure in aniridia patients, even those with glaucoma.