Assessment of the anterior chamber

- Gonioscopy et al -


Simon Barnard

Department of Optometry & Visual Science

City University

London, UK


Review of anatomy of the angle

Figure 1. View into the angle

Modified from a figure by T.Tarrant.
Gonioscopy Simulation

Landmarks and some gonioscopic observations

Pupil. Visible with the gonioscope if dilated.

Iris. Colour varies between individuals.

Iris root/insertion. The last roll of the iris may obscure the view of the ciliary body

Ciliary body. Longditudinal muscle. Colour varies between individuals - may be pale brown, grey or dark.

Scleral spur. Protrusion of sclera into anterior chamber. Attached to ciliary body posteriorly and trabecular meshwork anteriorly.

Trabecular meshwork. Multilayered network of fenestrated lamellae and endothelial cells draining aqueous into Canal of Schlemm which may visible when full of blood (e.g. in hypotony or when excess force applied to sclera during gonioscopy. Most of the drainage occurs via the posterior, more pigmented, portion of the trabecular meshwork. There are variations in colour but usually grey with varying degrees of pigmentation.

Schwalbe's line. Delineates the anterior edge of the trabecular zone and represents the termination of Descemet's membrane. Very fine glossy white line.

Posterior surface of Cornea. Observe limbal loops.

Other normal and and not so rare abnormal structures

Iris processes. Normal variation. Fine bands of iris extending anteriorly to attach to ciliary body or scleral spur.

Peripheral anterior synechiae. Abnormal. May be associated with ICE (iridocorneal endothelial syndrome) or post argon laser trabeculoplasty.

Neovascularisation of the angle. Abnormal . ( e.g. diabetes, CRV occlusion)

Reasons for anterior chamber examination include:

Methods of assessing the anterior chamber

Much of the anterior chamber is readily visible with the slit lamp biomicroscope. However the approach to the trabecular region is obscured from view in all eyes except some rare exceptions for two reasons:

Figure 2. Light returning from the angle is totally internally reflected within the cornea

1) Slit lamp examination of the visible anterior segment structures and aqueous for aqueous flare and cells, posterior or anterior synechiae, iris hypoplasia, abnormal iris vessels or pigmentation, Krukenberg's spindle.

2) Slit lamp estimation of the anterior chamber "angle" (e.g. Van Herrick)

Van Herrick's technique

Optical section

60° between observation and illumination

Full slit length

Magnification approximately x 15

Low to medium illumination

Place optical section just inside limbus. Assuming the corneal thickness = 1 unit, assess the width of the "aqueous gap" from corneal endothelium to iris.


Table 1. Van Herrick and Schaffer grades
GradeRatio of aqueous gap/corneaClinical interpretationScaffer angle degrees
4> ½ / 1Closure impossible45-35
3½-¼ /1Closure impossible35-20
2¼ / 1Closure possible20
1< ¼ / 1Closure likely with full dilation10 or less
0nilClosed0

3) Slit lamp estimation of the anterior chamber depth ( or with ultrasound)

The average adult eye has a chamber depth of 3.15 mm The chamber shallows by 0.01 mm per year. An eye with an anterior chamber depth of less than 2.5 mm is at risk for angle closure.

Slit lamp technique for assessing depth

Using the central corneal thickness (approximately 0.5 mm) as a reference, estimate the depth of the chamber.

4) Gonioscopic visualisation and grading of the anterior chamber drainage angle structures

Because of the reasons outlined above, in order to view the trabecular region the effect of the corneal curvature must be neutralised. This can be

produced in two ways.

(a) Direct gonioscopy - the anterior curve of the contact lens (goniolens) is such that the critical angle is not reached and the light rays are refracted at the contact lens/air interface, see Figure 3.

Figure 3 Goniolens

(b) Indirect gonioscopy - light rays are reflected by a mirror in the contact lens (gonioprism) and leave the lens at nearly a right angle to the contact lens-air interface, see Figure 4.

Figure 4 Goniolens

Gonioscopic grading of the angle

There are a number of grading systems.

Schaffer's method

Simplistic but useful.

Estimation of the angle which the iris makes with the ciliary body/trabeculum.

Corelates well with Van Herrick. (see Table 1)

Does not take into account position of iris insertion or the pupillary block scenario

Spaeth's system of grading

Assesses and grades the following:

Contraindications for gonioscopy:


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