Intraocular Pressure Following Long Posterior Ciliary Canal Cautery in Primates

¹ Departments of Ophthalmology and Pathology, University of Florida, and the Veteran's Administration Hospital Gainesville, Fla.
² Departments of Ophthalmology and Pathology, University of Florida, and the Veteran's Administration Hospital, Gainesville, Fla.

Cautery to both long posterior ciliary canals resulted in lowering of the intraocular pressure in squirrel monkeys. This response persisted over a four-week period. Although latex injection at the time of death suggested obstruction of the long posterior ciliary arteries, neither injury nor closure could be confirmed histologically. The inability to obtain permanent closure of these vessels may be due to their depth in the suprachoroid at the point of cautery. Mild pupillary dilation occurred following this procedure and was associated with apparent histologic damage to the long posterior ciliary nerves. This nerve damage may contribute to the observed reduction in intraocular pressure.

Key Words: glaucoma • ciliary body • aqueous humor • long posterior ciliary arteries • long posterior ciliary nerves • primate • saimiri sciureus • squirrel monkey • intraocular pressure

Submitted on February 20, 1974