gonioscopy
Meaning of gonioscopy: Gonioscopy is an eye examination that visualizes the drainage angle of the eye, helping distinguish open angle from narrow angle glaucoma.
Definition of gonioscopy
Gonioscopy is a procedure in which a special contact lens called a gonioscope, fitted with internal mirrors, is placed gently against the surface of the eye to allow direct visualization of the anterior chamber angle, the area between the cornea and the iris where fluid inside the eye, called aqueous humor, drains out through a meshwork of tissue.
Because this angle cannot be seen with a standard eye examination alone, gonioscopy is used specifically to evaluate how open or narrow the drainage angle is and to look for other changes within it, such as abnormal blood vessels or pigment deposits.
Gonioscopy is used mainly in the evaluation of glaucoma, a group of conditions involving damage to the optic nerve often, though not always, associated with elevated pressure inside the eye. The appearance of the angle on gonioscopy helps distinguish open angle glaucoma, in which the angle appears normal but drainage is still impaired, from narrow or closed angle glaucoma, in which the angle itself is physically restricted.
Used in a sentence
Gonioscopy was performed to evaluate the angle before proceeding with further glaucoma testing.
Good to know
Gonioscopy findings distinguish open angle glaucoma, where the angle looks normal despite impaired drainage, from narrow angle glaucoma, where the angle itself is physically restricted, a distinction that affects further evaluation.
Word origin
Where “gonioscopy” comes from
Formed from Greek gonia, meaning angle, and skopein, meaning to view or examine.