Angle Of Anterior Chamber

Angle of anterior chamber plays an important role in
the process of aqueous drainage. It is formed by root
of iris, anterior-most part of ciliary body, scleral spur,
trabecular meshwork and Schwalbe’s line (prominent
end of Descemet’s membrane of cornea) (Fig. 9.1).
The angle width varies in different individuals and
plays a vital role in the pathomechanism of different
types of glaucoma. Clinically the angle structures can

be visualised by gonioscopic examination (see page
546).
Gonioscopic grading of the angle width. Various
systems have been suggested to grade angle width.
The most commonly used Shaffer’s system of grading
the angle is given in Table 9.1 and is shown in
Fig. 9.2.

Grade Angle width Configuration Chances of closure Structures visible on gonioscopy
IV 35-45o Wide open Nil SL, TM, SS, CBB
III 20-35o Open angle Nil SL, TM, SS
II 20o Moderately narrow Possible SL, TM
I 10o Very narrow High SL only
0 0o Closed Closed None of the angle structures visible
SL = Schwalbe’s line, TM = Trabecular meshwork, SS = Scleral spur, CBB = Ciliary body band