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Complete Posterior Synechiae in Dogs

Synechiae are adhesions between the iris and other structures in the eye. Iris bombe occurs when there is a complete adhesion between the iris and the capsule of the lens of the eye creating a 360 degree area of adhesion. This results in a billowing of the iris forward into the eye.

Iris bombe can occur in both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn how this type of eye problem affects cats, please visit this page in the petMD health library.

Symptoms and Types

Symptoms seen with iris bombe include:

• Squinting
• Corneal lesions, such as ulcers
• Excessive tearing
• Glaucoma
• Variation in the color of the iris
• Opacity of the lens
• Uveitis
• Decreased papillary reaction to light

Causes

• Chronic infection
• Corneal ulcer
• Foreign body injury to the eye
• Hyphema (bleeding in the front part of the eye)
• Penetrating wounds to the eye
• Surgery

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on an ophthalmic examination, which involves examining the structures of the eye. Tonometry may be performed to measure the intraocular pressure (the pressure within the eyeball.)

Treatment

In some cases, treatment may not be necessary. However, when glaucoma occurs, it must be treated. In cases like this, laser surgery may be necessary to release the adhesions.