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Iris development anomalies: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
At the earliest stages of development of the visual organ, malformations of the iris may form, caused by non-closure of the anterior end of the optic cup slit, which is manifested by a defect of the iris - congenital coloboma of the iris. This defect may be combined with coloboma of the ciliary body and the choroid itself.
The optic cup slit closes from below in most cases, so iris coloboma often forms in the lower sections. The function of the iris sphincter remains intact. Iris coloboma can be eliminated surgically: two thin nodal sutures are applied to the edges of the defect. The operation leads to an increase in visual acuity and simultaneously allows the elimination of the cosmetic defect.
In congenital colobomas of the iris and ciliary body, the fixation of the lens may be disrupted due to the absence of a section of the ligamentous apparatus. Over the years, lens astigmatism occurs. The act of accommodation is also disrupted.
Polycoria is the presence of multiple pupils in the iris. True polycoria is a condition where the iris has more than one pupil with intact reaction to light. False polycoria is an hourglass-shaped pupil due to the fact that the remnants of the embryonic pupillary membrane connect the diametrically located edges of the pupil.
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