Step Descriptor Points To Note
Pre-Op 1 Office Based Gonioscopy Essential for surgical planning.  Is angle open or closed?
2 Angle Anatomy Scleral spur–anatomic landmark separates canal based from supra choroid surgery
3 Anesthesia Peri- or retrobulbar block vs. topical
Intra-operative Extra-Ocular 4 Head/Microscope Rotation Alignment of coaxial light along axis of iris plane
5 Goniolens Selection Modification of Swan Jacob Lens.  Handle contiguous with goniolens. 
6 Hand positioning Holding and positioning lens with non-dominant hand to optimize viewing
Intra-Ocular 7 Corneal Incision Eccentricity and location avoid interference between instruments and goniolens.  Incision along 3 and 9 o’clock plane provides pivoting and equidistant access to superior and inferior nasal angles
8 Soft Shell Technique Dispersive OVD protects endothelium.  Cohesive OVD creates and maintains angle space
9 Goniolens Docking & Manipulation Global corneal stimulation of sub-epithelial corneal nerves.  Consider Lidocaine as coupling Gel. Fixation ring provides globe control and rotation in x and z direction during surgery
Post-Op 10 Gonioscopy Goniophotography To build surgeon and patient confidence.  Useful for documentation and pre-op counseling
Table 2: Essential perioperative steps for successful angle surgery. OVD: Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Device.