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Synechia (eye)

AI overview

Ocular synechia is an eye condition where the iris adheres to either the cornea (anterior synechia) or lens (posterior synechia).

Key points
  • Synechiae can be caused by ocular trauma, iritis, or iridocyclitis.
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    Synechiae can be caused by ocular trauma , iritis or iridocyclitis
  • Synechiae may lead to certain types of glaucoma.
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    and may lead to certain types of glaucoma
  • Anterior synechia causes closed angle glaucoma by closing the drainage way of aqueous humour, raising intraocular pressure.
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    Anterior synechia causes closed angle glaucoma , which means that the iris closes the drainage way of aqueous humour which in turn raises the intraocular pressure
  • Posterior synechia causes glaucoma by blocking the flow of aqueous humor from the posterior chamber to the anterior chamber.
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    the iris adheres to the lens, blocking the flow of aqueous humor from the posterior chamber to the anterior chamber
Symptoms
  • The pupil may appear misshapen due to synechia.
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    Misshapen pupil due to Iritis -caused synechia in the left eye
  • Dilation of the pupil can cause an irregular, non-circular shape called dyscoria.
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    Dilation of the pupil in an eye with synechia can cause the pupil to take an irregular, non-circular shape (dyscoria)
Diagnosis
  • Synechia is sometimes visible on careful examination.
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    It is sometimes visible on careful examination
  • Synechia is usually more easily observed through an ophthalmoscope or slit-lamp.
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    but usually more easily through an ophthalmoscope or slit-lamp
Treatment
  • Mydriatic or cycloplegic agents such as topical homatropine are useful in breaking and preventing posterior synechia.
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    Mydriatic or cycloplegic agents, such as topical homatropine , which is similar in action to atropine , are useful in breaking and preventing the formation of posterior synechia
  • These agents work by keeping the iris dilated and away from the crystalline lens.
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    by keeping the iris dilated and away from the crystalline lens
  • Topical corticosteroids can be used to subdue inflammation.
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    To subdue inflammation, topical corticosteroids can be used.
  • A prostaglandin analogue such as travoprost may be used if intra-ocular pressure is elevated.
    source quote
    A prostaglandin analogue , such as travoprost , may be used if the intra-ocular pressure is elevated.
Red flags
  • Synechiae may lead to certain types of glaucoma.
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    and may lead to certain types of glaucoma
  • Posterior synechia can be observed in cases of anterior uveitis secondary to severe to moderate bacterial keratitis.
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    Posterior synechia can be observed in cases of anterior uveitis secondary to severe to moderate bacterial keratitis.
Prognosis

If the pupil can be fully dilated during treatment of iritis, the prognosis for recovery from synechia is good; it is a treatable condition.

AI-synthesized from the Wikipedia article “Synechia (eye)”. Not medical advice. Verify source →
Synechia
Posterior synechia showing part of iris adherent to the lens
SpecialtyOphthalmology 
Misshapen pupil due to Iritis-caused synechia in the left eye

Ocular synechia is an eye condition where the iris adheres to either the cornea (i.e. anterior synechia) or lens (i.e. posterior synechia).[1][2] Synechiae can be caused by ocular trauma, iritis or iridocyclitis and may lead to certain types of glaucoma. It is sometimes visible on careful examination but usually more easily through an ophthalmoscope or slit-lamp.

Anterior synechia causes closed angle glaucoma, which means that the iris closes the drainage way of aqueous humour which in turn raises the intraocular pressure. Posterior synechia can be observed in cases of anterior uveitis secondary to severe to moderate bacterial keratitis.[2] Posterior synechia also cause glaucoma, but with a different mechanism. In posterior synechia, the iris adheres to the lens, blocking the flow of aqueous humor from the posterior chamber to the anterior chamber. This blocked drainage raises the intraocular pressure.

Mydriatic or cycloplegic agents, such as topical homatropine, which is similar in action to atropine, are useful in breaking and preventing the formation of posterior synechia by keeping the iris dilated and away from the crystalline lens. Dilation of the pupil in an eye with synechia can cause the pupil to take an irregular, non-circular shape (dyscoria) as shown in the photograph. If the pupil can be fully dilated during the treatment of iritis, the prognosis for recovery from synechia is good. This is a treatable status.

To subdue inflammation, topical corticosteroids can be used. A prostaglandin analogue, such as travoprost, may be used if the intra-ocular pressure is elevated.

  1. "Synechiae". EyeWiki. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  2. 1 2 F. Salmon, J. (2019) Kanski's Clinical Ophthalmology. 9th Edition, Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7020-7711-1