In this brief review of iridotomy,[2] we shall confine our attention to
the methods that have been advanced for the formation of an artificial
pupil in cases of membranous occlusion of the pupil following removal
of the lens, either by couching, extraction or discission, the
iris-membrane in these cases being chiefly composed of inflamed iris
tissue glued down by retro-iridian exudate to the thickened lens
capsule.
[2] Wagner, Karl Wilhelm Ulrich: Inaugural Thesis, Göttingen, 1818. He
invented the designation iridotomia, which he formed from the original
Greek, ἶρις, ἶριδος (the iris) and τομή (cut).
The early history of iridotomy shows that the advocates of this
operation were divided into two schools, (1) those recommending the use
of the _knife-needle_ for incising the iris-membrane, and (2) those
adopting the method of introducing _scissors_ through a previously made
corneal section and freely incising the iris-membrane, or excising a
portion of the same. We will first consider the school which advocated
incision by the knife-needle.
[Illustration: Portrait of William Cheselden, 1688–1752. Painted by
Richardson.]