Fluorescein angiography of the iris. A correlation of microangiopathy in the iris and retina

Abstract

Fluorescein angiography of the iris using filters that eliminated pseudofluorescence was performed. In 10 of 40 non-diabetic healthy eyes, a fine-grained leakage of dye occurred from capillaries of the pupillary margin (PML). In 87 of 94 diabetic eyes with or without retinopathy a PML was present. The vascular changes of the iris were compared with those of the retina as disclosed by fundus fluorescein angiography. In 14 of 18 eyes without retinopathy PML was observed. In 25 of 28 eyes with non-proliferative retinopathy there was a PML, 12 of those in addition showed extravasation to the iris stroma. All 48 eyes with proliferative retinopathy showed PML. In addition, 19 of these had extravasation to the iris stroma and 26 iris neovascularization. When iris neovascularization is present, larger fibrovascular proliferations are usually found in the vitreous space, often associated with recurrent vitreous haemorrhages or retinal detachment. Iris angiography yields valuable information on the vitreo-retinal diabetic sequelae and is useful for selection of such eyes for vitrectomy.