necrosis of iris and ciliary bodya histopathological study necrotic foci within the iris and ciliary body were present in 104 eyes examined at the histopathological laboratory of the university eye clinic hamburg three different aetiological mechanisms were found 1 vascular acute glaucoma diminished arterial supply or radiogenic occlusive vasculitis can lead to ischaemic infarction 2 inflammatory direct contact with the noxious agent can lead to cell death either via liberation of toxines and enzymesusually bacterialor due to direct cytotoxic effect in case of viruses both can further cause cell death via immunological mechanisms intraocular suppurative bacterial infections predominate in this group 3 traumatic and operative tissue damage is caused by mechanical or thermal injury besides accidental trauma uveal necrosis also occurs frequently after surgical coagulation or dialysis of the ciliary body for glaucoma the sequelae of iris and ciliary body necrosis depend on the extent of the damage small necrotic areas are followed by scarring which has no injurious consequences on visual function widespread necrosis on the other hand is complicated by immediate atrophia bulbi or secondary angleclosure glaucoma with or without rubeosis iridis