#142 Synechiae (English)

Synechiae
 

Synechiae is an eye condition where the iris sticks (or adheres) to either the cornea or lens of the eye. This can happen to all animals and humans. It is normally caused by inflammation and increases the intraocular pressure in the eye (the pressure of the eye). Patients with synechaie typically have an inflammatory disease like uveitis. It is thought to be inflammatory cells, fibrin, and protein deposition that stimulate adhesion between structures. This is diagnosed with a slit lamp exam which allows doctors to see the area in the front of the eye. An abnormal slit lamp exam means that a variety of conditions may be present.

Some of the complications of synechiae include secondary angle closure glaucoma. This is when the eye pressure rises due to a condition. Initially, the eyes are normal and there is no pain, but as time goes on there is a considerable amount of vision lost, and climbing stairs could  becomes difficult due to bad eyesight. Another complication of synechiae is an iris bombe. An iris bombe is when the pressure in the posterior chamber rises and results in angle closure glaucoma. Chronic angle closure is another complication. It is a major cause of blindness in Asia. Glaucoma is a condition of increased pressure within the eyeball which gradually causes loss of sight. Glaucoma is also the second leading cause of irreversible blindness. Roughly sox million people in the world are blind because of this disease.

To manage this condition, you should treat any cause, cycloplegics can also stop adhesion from occurring. Anti-inflammatory medications also prevent further formation of synechiae. In order to prevent synechiae formation, you should check to see if you have a family history of ocular infection, trauma, or surgery, a family history of glaucoma or other eye disease, and rheumatological disease and inflammatory syndromes.

Resources:
http://eyewiki.aao.org/Synechiae
http://www.healthline.com/health/slit-lamp-exam#Procedure2
http://www.eyerounds.org/atlas/pages/iris-bombe.htm
http://www.aao.org/bcscsnippetdetail.aspx?id=c8b24536-77bf-43eb-8887-d6e08f654f26
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1189962-clinical
http://www.medicinenet.com/glaucoma/page2.htm
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