In a group of 250 patients with gonioscopically proved angle-closure glaucoma, 72 who did not have prophylactic peripheral iridectomy were reviewed and the adverse effects suffered by these patients were analysed. Comparison was made with 63 patients from the same group who did have peripheral iridectomy. All these patients were drawn from the Glaucoma Clinic, University Department of Ophthalmology, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.