Information for the public

There is not much good evidence about how well this procedure works or how safe it is for acquired aniridia. This procedure can be used but only when patients are having regular checks to see how well it is working or if it has caused problems.

Acquired aniridia is when the iris (the coloured part of the eye) has been damaged from trauma or surgery, and is incomplete or missing. This causes sensitivity to light and sight problems. In this procedure, an artificial iris implant is inserted through a small cut in the eye. The aim is to decrease sensitivity to light, improve sight and the appearance of the eye.

The NHS website may be a good place to find out more. NICE's information on interventional procedures guidance has more about what a procedure is and how we assess them.

Is this procedure right for me?

If you’ve been offered this procedure, your healthcare professionals should discuss with you what is involved, and explain the research study, and tell you about the risks and benefits. They should talk with you about your options, and listen carefully to your views and concerns. Your family can be involved too, if you wish. All of this should happen before you agree (consent) to have the procedure and to be in the study. You should also be told how to find more information about the procedure. Read more about making decisions about your care.

Some questions to think about

  • What does the procedure involve?
  • What are the possible benefits? How likely am I to get them?
  • What are the risks or side effects? How likely are they?
  • What happens if the procedure doesn’t work or something goes wrong?
  • What happens if I don’t want the procedure? Are there other treatments available?

ISBN: 978-1-4731-3812-4


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