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In this investigation of 2,091 eyes the occurrence of retinal detachment in the aphakic eye has been studied. Two groups are compared as to the incidence and type of cataract. Among 187 cases of aphakic retinal detachment in the second group, the relation between type of cataract, type of tear, cataract surgery and reattachment is recorded and the surgical procedure of the detachment discussed. The significant features and the course of the aphakic detachment are outlined and the predisposition to cataractous eye is emphasized.

To determine whether or not the electrophysiological status of the eye can give information as to the result of vitreous surgery, the visual evoked potential to flash stimulation was measured prior to vitreous surgery. Seventy-four eyes were submitted to surgery. Latencies of flash evoked potentials showed a distribution suggestive of a Gaussian curve with an abnormal extension. Dividing the material into 2 groups based on a latency longer or shorter than 100 millisec revealed a highly significant difference in visual improvement after surgery between patients with long latency and patients with short latency (P less than 0.001). With a latency longer than 100 millisec the patient has an almost equal chance of visual improvement or visual reduction by surgery. The frequency of operative complications was twice as high in patients with latency longer than 100 millisec compared to patients with a latency shorter than 100 millisec.

A method for dynamic angiography and quantitative measurement of fluorescence in ocular vessels in an in vitro experiment and in corneo-conjunctival angiography is described.

Based on a period of introduction with the vitrectomy technic the visual acuity results in 143 consecutive cases performed between 1976 and 1980 are related to the anamnestic information, the pre-, per- and post-operative findings. In this introductional period the patients referred had longstanding retinovitreal changes, and, because of lack of prognostic parameters, all patients were offered surgery regardless of the observed pathology. All vitrectomies were carried out with the Kloti macrostripper and diathermy unit, without any additional instrumentation. From the results of these early cases, we have changed our surgical method to a three-port entrance with a separate infusion canula, a separate fiberoptic illumination and an interchange between vitrector, automatic scissors, hook, stilleto, vacuo needle, forceps and intravitreous photocoagulation through a third port. Diabetics should be offered vitrectomy if vitreous haemorrhages last for more than 3 months. Vitrectomy is considered useless or contraindicated in diabetics with lack of light perception or light projection, neovascular glaucoma, extinguished visual evoked potential. Only an improvement in the peripheral vision can be expected in diabetics with macular detachment. In rhegmatogenous detachment cases with intravitreal traction, vitreous operations should be performed only where intraretinal or retroretinal changes do not prevent mobilization or unfolding of the retina. Traumatic vitreoretinal disorders should be operated upon early.