ABSTRACT
Gonioscopy is a technique used to examine structures in the anterior chamber angle (the fluid filled space inside the eye between the iris and the innermost layer of the cornea, the endothelium). It is an essential tool in ophthalmic practice, particularly in the diagnosis of glaucoma. In 1899, the Greek ophthalmologist Alexios Trantas was the first to visualise the angle in vivo and coined the term 'gonioscopy'. He made a number of other important contributions to ophthalmology.
Subject(s)
Glaucoma/history , Gonioscopy/history , Ophthalmology/history , Anterior Chamber , Glaucoma/diagnosis , Greece , History, 19th Century , Humans , Inventions/history , IrisABSTRACT
The first view of the iridocorneal angle in a living human occurred accidentally in the late 1800s. Lenses were first used to see the angle in 1914, but practical gonioscopy would not come into existence for many years as the slitlamp and lenses that could be used at the slitlamp were developed. This article reviews the history of gonioscopy.
Subject(s)
Gonioscopy/history , Anterior Chamber/anatomy & histology , Equipment Design , Gonioscopy/instrumentation , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century , HumansSubject(s)
Anterior Chamber/anatomy & histology , Anterior Chamber/pathology , Gonioscopy , Internet , Medical Illustration , Video Recording , Gonioscopy/history , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Medical Illustration/history , Ophthalmology/history , Video Recording/historyABSTRACT
The goniolens has become increasingly important in the practice of ophthalmology, For example, the treatment of angle closure and neovascular glaucoma is most effective in the earliest stages of the diseases, even prior to the onset of symptoms. Routine gonioscopy is essential if patients are to be provided optimum care. The critical nature of pressure gonioscopy is reviewed. The use of the goniolens to examine the corneal endothelium is described and recommended. Characterization of the configuration of the angle recess demands description of at least three aspects: (1) the angular approach to the recess, (2) the peripheral curvature of the iris, and (3) the point of insertion of the iris onto the ciliary body or endothelial surface. The nature of these three considerations is reviewed, as is their frequency in a normal population, in a group of ten people with definite 1 degree angle-closure glaucoma, and in 95 relatives of the subjects with angle-closure glaucoma. Marked anterior convexity of the peripheral iris appears to be highly correlated with the development of 1 degree angle closure. The three aspects of the angle configuration appear to be independently inherited. Gonioscopy of relatives of cases with 1 degree angle-closure glaucoma is highly recommended.
Subject(s)
Glaucoma/diagnosis , Gonioscopy , Anterior Chamber , Europe , Female , Glaucoma/genetics , Gonioscopy/history , History of Medicine , Humans , Iris , Male , Prognosis , United StatesABSTRACT
The evolution of gonioscopy is reviewed, beginning with the first in vivo examination of the angle of the anterior chamber in 1867. The people and events responsible for the successful development of this important technique are discussed.
