Amsler sign also known as Amsler–Verrey sign is the name of the diagnostic finding seen in people with

Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis (FHI) is a chronic unilateral uveitis appearing with the triad of heterochromia, predisposition to cataract and glaucoma, and keratitic precipitates on the posterior corneal surface. Patients are often asymptomati ...

(FHI). It is described as presence of blood (

hyphema Hyphema is a condition that occurs when blood enters the front (anterior) chamber of the eye between the iris and the cornea. People usually first notice a loss of vision or decrease in vision. The eye may also appear to have a reddish tinge, o ...

) in the aspirated aqueous fluid, in paracentesis of the anterior chamber, and is caused due to

iris Iris most often refers to: *Iris (anatomy), part of the eye *Iris (mythology), a Greek goddess * ''Iris'' (plant), a genus of flowering plants * Iris (color), an ambiguous color term Iris or IRIS may also refer to: Arts and media Fictional ent ...

atrophy usually seen in FHI and exposure of the fragile iris

vasculature The blood circulatory system is a system of organs that includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood which is circulated throughout the entire body of a human or other vertebrate. It includes the cardiovascular system, or vascular system, tha ...

to the aqueous fluid. The sudden change of pressure in the anterior chamber upon suction induced by the paracentesis, or during a

cataract A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye that leads to a decrease in vision. Cataracts often develop slowly and can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms may include faded colors, blurry or double vision, halos around light, trouble w ...

surgery, causes bursting of the fragile superficial iris

capillaries A capillary is a small blood vessel from 5 to 10 micrometres (μm) in diameter. Capillaries are composed of only the tunica intima, consisting of a thin wall of simple squamous endothelial cells. They are the smallest blood vessels in the body: ...

resulting in micro-bleeding. This is one clinical

diagnostic sign Signs and symptoms are the observed or detectable signs, and experienced symptoms of an illness, injury, or condition. A sign for example may be a higher or lower temperature than normal, raised or lowered blood pressure or an abnormality showi ...

of FHI.

History

This sign is named after the Swiss

ophthalmologist Ophthalmology ( ) is a surgery, surgical subspecialty within medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. An ophthalmologist is a physician who undergoes subspecialty training in medical and surgical eye care. Followin ...

Marc Amsler Marc Amsler (born 5 February 1891 in Vevey, Switzerland – died 3 May 1968) was a professor of ophthalmology in the Eye Clinic at the University of Zurich. He took the position as professor of ophthalmology in Zurich in 1944. His predecesso ...

(February 15, 1891 – May 3, 1968). It is sometimes referred to as Amsler–Verrey sign to acknowledge the contribution of another Swiss ophthalmologist,

Florian Verrey Florian Verrey (7 October 1911, in Lausanne – 14 September 1976) was a Swiss ophthalmologist. He studied medicine at the University of Lausanne, and from 1939 served as an assistant under Marc Amsler at the university eye clinic. In 1944 he ...

(1911–1976).

Sources

{{reflist Eye diseases Medical signs