What is ICE?

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ICE (irido corneal endotheliopathy) is a rare form of angle-closure glaucoma that is found in only one eye. There are two specific characteristics of this condition:
1) Cells on the back surface of the cornea become irregular in shape, size, and density. These cells appear to spread over the eye’s drainage tissue and across the iris surface, causing an increase in eye pressure.
2) These cells also form adhesions that bind the iris to the cornea which also clogs the drainage channels and can cause an increase in eye pressure.

Eye doctors detect ICE in the eye’s drainage system and in the iris, where the pupil can become irregular, or may have small bumps (nodules) or discoloration. The cornea can also become slightly cloudy. Two symptoms patients may notice are hazy vision in the morning upon wakening and halos around lights.

ICE most often occurs in women of light complexion in their 30’s. It is extremely rare in darkly-pigmented males. Treatment is difficult and requires a different approach than other forms of glaucoma.

Posted on February 12, 2009 10:20 AM