[Iris reconstruction: surgery, laser or contact lenses with iris structure].

We report the results of 126 iris reconstructions from 1979 to 1989 at the Rostock University Eye Clinic: 68 were operative, 34 laser treatments, and 24 Hema contact lenses with an iris structure. We developed four variations of the iridopexy: (1) an iridopexy with an iris micronhook; (2) an operation with an iris catching device; (3) the procedure using anterior chamber forceps according to Barraquer; (4) the suction cannula technique. These four variations permit damage to the epithelium to be avoided--unlike the McCannel or Makkensen techniques. Four fixation of the iris, in phakic eyes two pupil punches were patented. For aphakic eyes, we prefer to fix the iris via a combination of argon and neodym-YAG laser surgery. To date, the most important indications for fitting the Hema contact less with an iris structure have been aniridia, albinism, iris coloboma, essential iris atrophy, and leucoma corneae.