Amsler sign
Encyclopedia
Amsler sign also known as Amsler-Verrey sign is the name of the diagnostic finding seen in patients with Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis
(FHI). It is described as presence of blood (hyphema
) in the aspirated vitreous fluid, in paracentesis
of the anterior chamber
, and is caused due to iris atrophy usually seen in FHI and exposure of the fragile iris vasculature to the vitreous fluid. The sudden change of pressure in the anterior chamber upon suction induced by the paracentesis, or during a cataract
surgery, causes bursting of the fragile superficial iris capillaries resultsing in micro-bleeding. This is one clinical diagnostic sign of FHI.
(February 15, 1891-May 3, 1968). It is sometimes referred to as Amsler-Verrey sign to acknowledge the contribution of another Swiss Ophthalmologist Florian Verrey (1911–1976).
Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis
Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis is a chronic unilateral iridocyclitis appearing with the triad of heterochromia, predisposition to cataracts and glaucoma, and keratitic precipitates on the posterior corneal surface...
(FHI). It is described as presence of blood (hyphema
Hyphema
Hyphema is blood in the front chamber of the eye. It may appear as a reddish tinge, or it may appear as a small pool of blood at the bottom of the iris or in the cornea.-Causes:...
) in the aspirated vitreous fluid, in paracentesis
Paracentesis
Paracentesis is a medical procedure involving needle drainage of fluid from a body cavity, most commonly the peritoneal cavity in the abdomen.A related procedure is thoracocentesis, which is needle drainage of the chest cavity...
of the anterior chamber
Anterior chamber
The anterior chamber is the fluid-filled space inside the eye between the iris and the cornea's innermost surface, the endothelium. Aqueous humor is the fluid that fills the anterior chamber. Hyphema and glaucoma are two main pathologies in this area. In hyphema, blood fills the anterior chamber...
, and is caused due to iris atrophy usually seen in FHI and exposure of the fragile iris vasculature to the vitreous fluid. The sudden change of pressure in the anterior chamber upon suction induced by the paracentesis, or during a cataract
Cataract
A cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light...
surgery, causes bursting of the fragile superficial iris capillaries resultsing in micro-bleeding. This is one clinical diagnostic sign of FHI.
History
This sign is named after the Swiss ophthalmologist Marc AmslerMarc Amsler
Marc Amsler was a professor of ophthalmology at der Zurich Eye Clinic at the University of Zurich....
(February 15, 1891-May 3, 1968). It is sometimes referred to as Amsler-Verrey sign to acknowledge the contribution of another Swiss Ophthalmologist Florian Verrey (1911–1976).