ESSENTIAL PROGRESSIVE ATROPHY OF THE IRIS

Abstract

It is recognized, as has been stated by several authors, that the actual etiology of true essential progressive atrophy of the iris has not been discovered. The object of this paper is to report another case of a patient with this condition, who has been under observation for four years. Comparatively few cases of essential atrophy of the iris have been reported, and knowledge of the disease is therefore incomplete. It is possible that some of the earlier cases reported may have belonged to the group of atrophies of the iris caused by, according to Fuchs, 1 (1) long-continued or recurring inflammation, (2) increase of tension involving the blood vessels at the root of the iris, (3) traction on the iris or iridodialysis, (4) too thorough absorption of swelling lenticular material or (5) advanced age or an unrecognizable cause. This was noted by Barr, 2 in 1934, who further