Page 55 - 21st Century Perspective - Glaucoma Supplement
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Types of Glaucoma
Pigment dispersion syndrome
Pigment dispersion syndrome represents an asymptomatic slit lamp discovery. When the iris is
sufficiently posteriorly positioned, the posterior pigmented iris epithelium rubs against the lenticular
zonules, which can result in liberation of the pigmented cells. If this process continues for several
years, enough pigmented cells can clog the trabecular meshwork, resulting in a secondary glaucoma
referred to as pigmentary glaucoma.
Both pigment dispersion syndrome (Figure 29) and pigmentary glaucoma are characterized by:
● iris radial transillumination defects;
● heavy pigmentation of the trabecular meshwork; and
● pigmented debris on the face of the iris and/or on the corneal endothelium (known as a
Krukenberg’s spindle).
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