[Necrosis of iris and ciliary body--a histopathological study].

Necrotic foci within the iris and ciliary body were present in 104 eyes examined at the histopathological laboratory of the University Eye Clinic, Hamburg. Three different aetiological mechanisms were found: 1) Vascular acute glaucoma, diminished arterial supply, or radiogenic occlusive vasculitis can lead to ischaemic infarction. 2) Inflammatory: direct contact with the noxious agent can lead to cell death, either via liberation of toxines and enzymes--usually bacterial--or due to direct cytotoxic effect, in case of viruses. Both can further cause cell death via immunological mechanisms. Intraocular suppurative bacterial infections predominate in this group. 3) Traumatic and operative: tissue damage is caused by mechanical or thermal injury. Besides accidental trauma, uveal necrosis also occurs frequently after surgical coagulation or dialysis of the ciliary body for glaucoma. The sequelae of iris and ciliary body necrosis depend on the extent of the damage. Small necrotic areas are followed by scarring, which has no injurious consequences on visual function. Widespread necrosis, on the other hand, is complicated by immediate atrophia bulbi or secondary angle-closure glaucoma with or without rubeosis iridis.