Transcanalicular microendoscopy of the lacrimal system has brought great advantages in knowledge and our understanding of the pathophysiology of the lacrimal system. It has now been confirmed that the causes of most primary idiopathic stenoses are often spot-like stenoses located at the site of anatomically preformed folds in the efferent tear ducts. Minimally invasive procedures of rechanneling have been developed, such as laser dacryoplasty and microdrill dacryoplasty, which preserve lacrimal pump function, result in much less stress for the patient and for a first-step procedure have an acceptable success rate of 80%.

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Lacrimal surgery has been characterised by multiple rapid changes within the last 20 years. The understanding of the development and existence of lacrimal stenoses has changed considerably. New morphological (endoscopy of the lacrimal system) and anatomic-functional aspects have been added. In the field of surgery the frequency of DCR has dropped within the last years, but still, with proper indications, this method has its significance, as well as irrigation of the lacrimal system. On the other hand microendoscopic canalicular surgery has been almost fully replaced by microendoscopic transcanalicular laser dacryoplasty and microdrill dacryoplasty. For the surgical treatment of injuries of the lacrimal system no changes have been implemented. As a spin-off effect from gastroduodenoscopy and ERCP superfine endoscopes have been developed, and have opened the possibility to inspect the mucosa and directly evaluate the lumen of the lacrimal system. Following the development of laser dacryoplasty and microdrill dacryoplasty as well as miniaturised drill systems, surgery can be performed less invasively today. Future developments of lacrimal surgery will be strongly influenced by the ongoing developments of microendoscopic transcanalicular techniques and modulation in wound healing.

The authors report on the transvitreal application of fibrin glue in retinal detachment surgery. Methods of application and the course of postoperative resorption are illustrated with reference to experimental studies on rabbit eyes. The prospects for this new method of creating chorioretinal adhesions are pointed out and discussed.

An early pars plana vitrectomy was performed without any additional intravitreal antimycotic therapy in 8 eyes of 5 patients with candida endophthalmitis; anatomic healing with a good functional result was obtained. The good prognosis of vitrectomy without intravitreal antimycotic therapy in our patients is seen in (1) a total surgical extraction of the abscess and (2) the better intraocular ventilation obtained for endogenous resistance.