Type VI collagen is a major component of the human cornea.

Collagen type VI is shown to be present in the human cornea. This finding is based on comparative peptide mapping relative to type VI collagen isolated from placenta and on immunoblotting using antibodies specific for human type VI collagen. Scanning of polyacrylamide gels indicates that type VI collagen comprises as much as one quarter of the dry weight of the cornea. Indirect immunofluorescence shows this collagen to be distributed throughout the corneal stroma. Thus, type VI collagen must be considered a major component of the extracellular matrix of the human cornea.

Clinical implications of aqueous humor studies in uveitis.

We studied the serologic findings in serum and aqueous humor samples from 693 cases of uveitis. Specimens were tested for the presence of humoral antibodies against tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, antistreptolysin-O, herpes simplex and herpes zoster viruses, mumps virus, and adenovirus. Serologic analyses rarely indicated tuberculous or streptococcal infections, but frequently showed toxoplasmosis and viral diseases.

Corneal regrafts.

Report on the clarity of 45 corneal regrafts with a minimum follow-up time of 1 year. The results of regrafts in keratoconus are good. In herpetic disease with corneal vascularization and frequent secondary glaucoma the results are poor. In patients with failed grafts for corneal dystrophies or degenerations the regrafts can be beneficial.

Retinal detachment surgery.

Retinal surgery commences with careful ophthalmoscopy. The surgeon must be familiar with indirect monocular and binocular ophthalmoscopy, but biomicroscopy is most essential. Buckling procedures can be produced by different techniques and should be adapted to the case. Drainage of subretinal fluid is crucial. One should avoid it if possible, but if it has to be done, care has to be taken to avoid complications. The sealing of retinal holes and tears can be performed by diathermy, cryo- and light coagulation. Each technique has its indication and should be available at the time of surgery. Vitreous surgery is still in the experimental stage, but seems to be very promising, although its main use will most probably lie outside the field of retinal detachment.

[Local anesthesia in ophthalmic surgery (author's transl)]. / Lokalanästhesie in der Ophthalmochirurgie

Although there is parctically no contraindication for general anesthesia and the risks for the patient have become considerably less, local anesthesia is still indicated for many ophthalmic surgical interventions. Here different factors have to be considered: The physical and psychological state of the patient, the nature of the intervention (above all cataract and glaucoma operations, as well as lamellar and perforating keratoplasties), the technique of the local anesthesia, the pre-medication, the relationship surgeon-patient, economic factors and possible complications of general anesthesia.

[Secondary forms of glaucoma]. / Sekundäre Glaukomformen.

The various forms of secondary glaucoma are discussed on the basis of their different pathogenesis. Elevation of IOP is most frequently associated with inflammation of the uveal tract. Vascular changes in the uvea, in particular rubeosis iridis but also angiomatoses of the retina, can cause secondary glaucoma. Tumors of the uvea and retina often lead to increased intraocular pressure; and lastly, blunt and perforating injuries are frequently followed by glaucoma. Treatment of all these different forms of secondary glaucoma is discussed.

[Retinal angiomatoses]. / Die retinalen Angiomatosen.

The three classical angiomatoses of the retina are described on the basis of the clinical picture. If early diagnosis is possible, the otherwise inevitable progression to exudative retinal detachment and secondary glaucoma may be avoided through extensive coagulation by laser, xenon or cryopexy. - The prognosis is best in Leber's retinitis; it in much poorer in cases of von Hippel-Lindau angiomatosis and primary Coats' disease.

[Keratoplasty in private practice]. / Keratoplastik in der Privatpraxis.

The problems associated with performing penetrating keratoplasty in private practice are briefly discussed: access to an eye bank, high-risk patients, immunosuppressive therapy, complications, and results. One negative aspect is the relatively high incidence (10%) of primary graft failure, but allograft reactions are less frequent (5%). The best results are obtained in keratoconus cases.