HISTOPATHOLOGY OF ARGON-LASER PERIPHERAL IRIDOPLASTY

We report the light and electron microscopic findings from two eyes tr eated with argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALPI) for bilateral ang le-closure glaucoma. The patient, a 45-year-old man, died from complic ations of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome 16 days following ALPI. O cular pathologic findings included contraction furrow formation and pr oliferation of fibroblast-like cells, accompanied by collagen depositi on on the iris surface, denaturation of stromal collagen, and coagulat ive necrosis of blood vessels. within the anterior two thirds of the i ris stroma. These findings suggest that heat shrinkage of collagen may be responsible for the short-term response to ALPI, and that contract ion of the fibroblastic membrane may be responsible for its long-term effects. Additionally, the presence of coagulative necrosis of iris bl ood vessels suggests that overttreatment may result in iris necrosis. To our knowledge this is the first report of the histopathology of ALP I.