eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Anterior Chamber

Postoperative Flat Anterior Chamber

Author: James V Aquavella, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, University of Rochester Eye Institute
Coauthor(s): Gregory J McCormick, MD, Consulting Staff, Corneal and Refractive Surgery, Vermont Laser Vision at Timber Lane and Ophthalmic Consultants of Vermont
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Aug 3, 2007

Introduction

Background

Anterior chamber depth as ascertained by slit lamp examination has long been used as an important parameter in assessing postoperative status following major intraocular surgery. Prior to the second half of the 20th century, most cataract extractions and corneal transplantations were performed without the placement of edge-to-edge ophthalmic sutures. Therefore, a formed anterior chamber signified the reestablishment of the integrity of the globe sufficiently to impede or eliminate the leaking of aqueous humor. A shallow (or absent) anterior chamber can occur in the early, intermediate, or late postoperative period. This article defines the early postoperative period (days 1-7), the intermediate postoperative period (days 7-30), and the late postoperative period (in excess of 30 days).

Pathophysiology

In the early postoperative period, a shallow anterior chamber is often associated with a soft eye, but it also may be present with normal or even elevated intraocular pressure. The combination of a soft eye and a shallow anterior chamber occurring within the first several days following intraocular surgery often signifies a leak of aqueous fluid from the anterior chamber through the operative wound. Presence of a wound leak can be ascertained at the slit lamp with application of fluorescein dye to the wound site. Slight pressure on the globe will result in a clearly visible flow of fluid (Seidel positive).

Frequency

United States

No good statistical data are available on the frequency of occurrence. Clearly, the condition is encountered more frequently in glaucoma and corneal transplantation than in routine cataract extraction. The highest overall incidence may be following repair of extensive perforating injuries.

International

Difference in frequency internationally will be related to the availability of state-of-the-art microsurgical technology and equipment, including sutures and instruments. Yet, no objective statistical evidence has been reported.

Mortality/Morbidity

The condition is strictly related to the globe and is not associated with mortality or systemic morbidity.

Race

No data are available relating to racial difference in frequency or severity.

Sex

No differences are anticipated in frequency between males and females.

Age

No data are available.

Clinical

History

Clearly, this topic has an important historical connotation. Prior to the introduction of suture material to create edge-to-edge wound closure, flat and shallow anterior chambers were not uncommon occurrences following anterior segment surgery. Even the introduction of suture material did not eliminate the problem. Microsurgical techniques, fine needles, and suture material and instrumentation have had an enormous beneficial impact. Even the newer sutureless self-sealing wounds have reduced the problem by eliminating wound irregularities between adjacent sutures.

Physical

Definition and examination of flat anterior chamber

• Anatomy of the anterior chamber: The eye contains the following 3 chambers: the anterior chamber, the posterior chamber, and the vitreous cavity.
  • The anterior chamber is bordered anteriorly by the cornea, posteriorly by the front surface of the iris and the lens, and peripherally by the anterior chamber angle, which contains the trabecular meshwork.
  • The anterior chamber is deepest (approximately 3 mm) in its central portion and shallowest at the peripheral insertion of the iris. In humans, its volume is approximately 0.2 mL.
• A shallow anterior chamber can be a normal variant commonly seen in hyperopic eyes.
• The slit lamp biomicroscope is important to accurately assess the anterior chamber.
  • When a shallow anterior chamber is detected, a thorough history, including previous surgery or trauma, should be obtained.
  • Evaluation of associated factors, including intraocular pressure, gonioscopy, and fundus examination, is important.
• The depth of the anterior chamber is estimated as the distance between the posterior surface of the cornea and the front surface of the iris.
  • Usually, it measures 3 mm or more.
  • If the iris appears to be convex and parallels the posterior chamber surface and if the depth of the anterior chamber is less than 2 mm, angle-closure glaucoma is a risk.

Causes

• Causes and management of flat anterior chamber with elevated intraocular pressure
  • Angle-closure glaucoma is a frequent cause of narrowing of the anterior chamber.
    • Acute angle closure presents with a painful red eye, significant intraocular pressure elevation, and closure of the angle detected by gonioscopy. Angle-closure glaucoma can indicate pupillary block. Laser iridotomy is indicated and should result in an immediate resolution of the condition with deepening of the anterior chamber. Medical management includes topical pilocarpine drops to constrict the pupil and to break the attack, as well as topical ocular pressure lowering agents, intravenous mannitol or acetazolamide, and topical anti-inflammatory eye drops. Gonioscopy after relief of pupillary block is important to detect residual angle closure.
    • Chronic angle closure may have a much less dramatic presentation; however, gonioscopy readily determines the diagnosis.
  • Aqueous misdirection
    • Malignant glaucoma is most common in hyperopic eyes and in eyes with previous primary angle-closure glaucoma, often with a recent history of intraocular surgery. This condition is believed to be due to misdirection of aqueous humor flow posteriorly into the vitreous cavity with an impermeable anterior hyaloid face. It may be treated with medical therapy, including topical atropine and aqueous humor suppressants, or surgically with disruption of the vitreous face.
    • Typically, pars plana vitrectomy is performed in phakic or pseudophakic eyes, and Nd:YAG laser can be used for disruption of the anterior hyaloid face or posterior capsule in aphakic eyes and for laser capsulotomy in some pseudophakic eyes. Resolution of the attack is seen after the underlying mechanism of aqueous misdirection is broken.
  • Synechial closure from adhesions, neovascularization, or inflammation
    • Anterior uveitis, with or without infection, can produce anterior synechiae and an apparent shallowing of the anterior chamber. In these instances, appropriate anti-inflammatory therapy and/or anti-infective therapy is indicated.
    • Posterior synechiae (iris/crystalline lens) may also form and result in pupillary block, iris bombe, and acute angle-closure glaucoma. Posterior synechiae can often be broken with the use of cycloplegic agents.
    • Surgical synechialysis or laser iridoplasty may be performed when the inflammatory situation has stabilized.
  • Mature lens causing phacomorphic glaucoma
    • With development of a mature lens, the lens may swell, leading to shallowing of the anterior chamber.
    • Lens extraction results in normalization of the anterior chamber if permanent synechiae have not formed.
• Causes and management of flat anterior chamber with low intraocular pressure
  • Cataract extraction wound leaks
    • Following cataract extraction using a clear corneal incision, the surgeon often hydrates the lips of the corneal wound. The resultant stromal edema produced by the hydrophilic stromal collagen assists in creating an initial seal; therefore, the anterior chamber can be maintained at the close of the procedure.
    • Occasionally, one or more superficial sutures may be used if any question exists as to wound stability.
    • Hydrated collagen shields alone or in addition to hydrophilic bandage lenses for 24 hours may help wound leaks. Any application of a hydrophilic bandage lens must be accompanied by instillation of appropriate prophylactic antibiotic solution.
  • Corneal transplantation wound leaks
    • In the early postoperative period, several possible complications may be encountered. Wound leak usually is associated with poor wound apposition between the graft and the host tissues. A loose suture, wound tissue displacement, or poor wound closure may occur. Seidel testing is helpful in detecting wound leaks.
    • If the wound dehiscence is large, especially if it is associated with a flattened anterior chamber, resuturing of the wound is indicated. In addition, use of patching or bandage contact lens may be helpful in the case of resuturing.
    • Use of a viscoelastic gel in the anterior chamber is a helpful technique during resuturing.
  • Excessive filtration (trabeculectomy)
    • A soft eye and a shallow anterior chamber in the early postoperative period can be associated with a filtering bleb, either deliberately created following trabeculectomy or an inadvertent bleb in which a leak becomes covered with conjunctiva.
    • Late-onset bleb leaks can occur after glaucoma filtering surgery.
    • Intracameral injection of viscoelastic agents or certain gases may be effective in the reformation of the flat anterior chamber.
    • Pressure patching can help to reduce filtration and to reform the anterior chamber.
  • Choroidal detachment
    • If the shallow chamber persists and the intraocular pressure is very low, this may reflect choroidal detachment. Indirect ophthalmoscopy or B-scan ultrasonography can be used to confirm the diagnosis.
    • Treatment includes topical steroids. Choroidal drainage with or without modification of a filtering bleb may be indicated to avoid long-term sequelae of choroidal detachment and ciliary body dysfunction.
  • Trauma
    • Traumatic cyclodialysis cleft formation may be associated with hypotony and shallowing of the anterior chamber.
    • Corneal perforation with wound leak (as confirmed by a Seidel test) may result in a shallow anterior chamber with hypotony.

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