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The optic nerve and optic disk in 20 cases of glaucoma were examined neurohistologically. The interruption of retinal axons was found localized in a narrow transversal strip at the level of the posterior part of the lamina cribrosa and immediately behind it. Retinal axons anterior to this zone were mostly intact as long as their ganglion cells of origin were preserved. This picture was essentially identical in cases of primary and secondary glaucoma. The significance of this finding is discussed together with some hypotheses on the origin and causes of the glaucomatous cupping of the optic disk.

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Six pathological human retinas were studied in order to establish changes, migration, and other reactions of retinal microglia. The different morphological features of other retinal macrophages are also described. Hortega silver carbonate stain was used for this study. This investigation aided in answering some questions on the active movements of microglia elements and other details under discussion.

Axonal and myelin changes of the degenerative type were found in the extra-ocular muscles of 21 out of 23 diabetics of all ages (30--74 years). In all these 21 cases both axonal and myelin changes were observed; they did not correlate with the duration, degree of severity or treatment of diabetes. In 19 of the 23 cases (82.6%) nervous changes were accompanied by vascular changes. In 10 controls (50--80 years) nervous and vascular changes were of a slight degree. The findings of the alteration of peripheral nerve endings in the extra-ocular muscle corroborate and complete the description of the central nervous changes in diabetics with ophthalmoplegia given by several authors. We agree with Domínguez et al. that ophthalmoplegia may appear in the preclinical stage of diabetes and may be the first manifestation of the disease.