Gonioscopy

Gonioscopy
Intervention

Goldmann Goniolens schematic
MeSH D006068

Gonioscopy describes the use of a goniolens (also known as a gonioscope) in conjunction with a slit lamp or operating microscope to gain a view of the iridocorneal angle, or the anatomical angle formed between the eye's cornea and iris. The importance of this process is in diagnosing and monitoring various eye conditions associated with glaucoma.

The goniolens or gonioscope

The goniolens allows the clinician - usually an ophthalmologist or optometrist - to view the irideocorneal angle through a mirror or prism, without which the angle is masked by total internal reflection from the ocular tissue.

The mechanism for this process varies with each type of goniolens. Three examples of goniolenses are the:

There are many other goniolenses available for use, including modified versions the aforementioned, which prove valuable for surgical use (goniotomy).

The gonioscopy process

Although the details vary based on the type of goniolens used, in general the gonioscopy process involves:

Interpreting the gonioscopic image

The typical view through most goniolenses is illustrated by these idealistic schematic diagrams. In reality the clinical picture can vary both within and between individual patients. This view of the iridocorneal angle provides information in several ways:

Sample View of Wide Angle
Sample View of Narrow Angle
Sample View of Anterior Synechiae
Sample View of Anterior Synechiae with Indentation Gonioscopy
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, October 05, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.