Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome

Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome, often called ICE syndrome, is a group of rare eye disorders in which the single layer of cells lining the inner surface of the cornea, the corneal endothelium, proliferates abnormally and spreads across the drainage angle and onto the iris. This abnormal cell growth distorts the iris and pupil, can fuse parts of the iris to the cornea, and often blocks the eye's fluid drainage system, causing a secondary form of glaucoma. It typically affects only one eye, most often develops in middle aged women, and its three recognized variants, Chandler syndrome, essential iris atrophy and Cogan-Reese syndrome, are distinguished by which iris and corneal changes predominate. Because the condition mainly threatens vision through the pressure buildup it causes, treatment focuses on controlling the resulting glaucoma with medication or surgery.