[Fibrin gluing in ophthalmic surgery]. / Fibrinklebung in der Ophthalmochirurgie.

A new fibrin adhesive "Beriplast" of the Behringwerke AG Marburg was implemented for conjunctival glueing in 42 patients after intracapsular cataract extraction. The tissue adhesive was also examined in palpebral tumour surgery as to its compatibility and usefulness. Good functional and cosmetic results were obtained with regard to the conjunctiva and the eyelids, respectively. No cases of incompatibility were registered.

[Early diagnosis of endocrine ophthalmopathy using eye movement tonometry]. / Frühdiagnose der endokrinen Ophthalmopathie mit Hilfe der Blickrichtungstonometrie.

In a certain number of cases (about 30%) of autoimmune hyperthyroidism the pattern of an endocrine ophthalmopathy was observed which is difficult to determine especially in early stages of Graves disease. Already prior to measurable morphological changes, being determined by sonography and computertomography (41.6%), functional discrepancies could be assessed by means of temporary increases of intraocular pressure due to eye movement in 64.5% of cases. Such changes in ocular pressure were established on the basis of eye movement tonometry. Results obtained suggest that by means of the method described an early detection of eye signs associated with thyroid diseases is possible and thus enabling an early differentiation between autoimmune and non-immunogenic thyroid disorders.

[Visual fixation tonometry as an aid in the early diagnosis of endocrine ophthalmopathy]. / Die Blickrichtungstonometrie als Hilfsmittel zur Frühdiagnose der endokrinen Ophthalmopathie.

In some cases of autoimmunogenic hyperthyroidism an endocrine ophthalmopathy is found, but it is difficult to diagnose Graves' disease in early stages. Even before the occurrence of measurable morphological changes (measured by sonography and computed tomography of the orbit and eye muscles) short positional intraocular pressure changes are found in 64.5% of cases with autoimmunogenic dysthyreosis. These pressure changes are detected by positional applanation tonometry. These findings admit the conclusion that with the method described not only early detection of ocular signs associated with thyroid disease is possible, but also early differentiation between autoimmunogenic and nonimmunogenic thyroid disorders.

[Diagnosis of ocular Chlamydia infections. Experiences with 2 test systems]. / Zur Diagnostik von okulären Chlamydieninfektionen. Erfahrungen mit zwei unterschiedlichen Testprinzipien.

It is well known that both direct and indirect test systems are available for identifying chlamydial infections. In the author's laboratory two of these systems were compared by examining conjunctival scrapings, sera, and tears from more than 150 patients with chronic, therapy-resistant conjunctivitis. The principal criteria considered were the time and technical effort involved and the sensitivity and specificity of these tests in ophthalmology. According to the authors' findings, direct identification of the pathogens with FITC-labeled monoclonal antibodies is useful for diagnosing fresh infections. In cases of chronic disease, however, the indirect serologic test is of greater value, because it is usually impossible to isolate the viruses. This test shows specific IgA and IgG antibodies in serum and tears that do not occur before the tenth (IgA) or 30th (IgG) day after infection. The sensitivity and specificity of both tests seem to be on a par with the culture system, which is still the "gold standard" for diagnosis. For a secure diagnosis both test systems should be used, though of course always taking the clinical picture into consideration.