What are Krukenberg spindles?

What are Krukenberg spindles?

Krukenberg’s spindle represents melanin pigment forming a vertical line on the posterior central cornea in contrast to other melanin pigment depositions that tend to be more circular or diffuse in distribution.

What causes pigment dispersion syndrome?

Pigment dispersion syndrome is a condition that happens when pigment rubs off of the back of the iris of the eye when the fibers supporting the lens rub against it. This pigment is deposited in the trabecular meshwork of the eye, where the fluid drains out.

What causes iris transillumination?

Known causes of acquired iris atrophy with or without transillumination of the iris include herpetic iridocyclitis, pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS), pseudoexfoliation syndrome, Fuchs uveitis syndrome, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, trauma, and acute angle-closure glaucoma.

Is pigmentary glaucoma open angle?

The treatment of pigmentary glaucoma involves lowering eye pressure by using medications, laser, or surgery, which is similar to the treatment options for open-angle glaucoma. The usual medications that lower eye pressure for open-angle glaucoma are also used for pigmentary glaucoma.

Can you go blind from pigmentary glaucoma?

Blindness due to pigmentary glaucoma is rare. In a study of 113 patients with PDS and pigmentary glaucoma, three eyes in two patients were blind. Progression of the disease, however, is common.

What causes Krukenberg spindle?

Krukenberg’s spindle is the name given to the pattern formed on the inner surface of the cornea by pigmented iris cells that are shed during the mechanical rubbing of posterior pigment layer of the iris with the zonules that are deposited as a result of the currents of the aqueous humor.

What is pigmentary dispersion?

Pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS) happens when the pigment rubs off the back of your iris. This pigment then floats around to other parts of the eye. The tiny bits of pigment can clog your eye’s drainage angle. This can cause eye pressure problems.

Is pigmentary glaucoma rare?

What does iris transillumination mean?

Bilateral acute iris transillumination (BAIT) is a recently defined disease characterized with bilateral acute, severe pigment dispersion of iris and pupil sphincter paralysis.

What transillumination means?

Transillumination is the shining of a light through a body area or organ to check for abnormalities.

What kind of glaucoma is the Krukenberg spindle?

Pigmentary glaucoma is a type of secondary open-angle glaucoma characterized by heavy homogenous pigmentation of the trabecular meshwork, iris transillumination defects, and pigment along the corneal endothelium (Krukenberg spindle).

How is Krukenberg spindle related to pigment dispersion syndrome?

Pigment dispersion syndrome is diagnosed clinically based on the presence of iris transillumination defects in the mid-peripheral iris, pigment on the corneal endothelium (Krukenberg spindle, vertically oriented due to convection currents), and heavy pigmentation of the trabecular meshwork.

What is the shape of a Krukenberg spindle?

Pigment is often arranged in a the shape of a Krukenberg spindle, narrow or rounded oval of brown pigment, usually 0.5 to 2.5 mm wide, and 2-6 mm in length. Pigment is typically densest at the center]

What is the difference between pigmentary glaucoma and PDS?

Pigmentary glaucoma (PG) and pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS). Pigmentary glaucoma is a type of secondary open-angle glaucoma characterized by heavy homogenous pigmentation of the trabecular meshwork, iris transillumination defects, and pigment along the corneal endothelium (Krukenberg spindle).