The new probe proved to be a practical device to monitor temperature in the anterior chamber during phacoemulsification. Up to now we did not encounter any critical degrees of temperature but it should be pointed out that a functional irrigation unit, the use of pulse mode or permanent ultrasonic output and in particular the type of viscoelastic material used are all important parameters influencing the rise of temperature during phacoemulsification. Further experience and results obtained with the new probe will be reported in the future.

No abstract

Between 1961 and 1968 140 goniotomies were performed at the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Hamburg. The condition of 72 eyes was evaluated and 41 eyes were re-examined. The average intraocular pressure was 33 mmHg preoperativly and only 20 mmHg 13 to 20 years after the goniotomy procedure. Patients from this group with buphthalmus had an even lower pressure of only 17.6 mmHg. Pressure regulation was achieved in 85% of the evaluated eyes by one or more operations, in conjunction with drug therapy in some instances. In 18 of the 41 eyes a satisfactory result was achieved after a single goniotomy procedure. In 15 of the 41 eyes visual acuity was 0.3 or better with normal pressure. The risk of postoperative amblyopia is mentioned.

No abstract

The measuring accuracy and reliability of the new Tono-Pen tonometer, which works on the Mackay-Marg principle, were tested on isolated human and pigs' bulbi and on 24 patients. On isolated pigs' bulbi the Tono-Pen indicated the true pressure, whereas the pressures measured on isolated human bulbi were too high and the range of scatter was wider. On patients' eyes the values obtained with the Tono-Pen correlated well with those measured with the hand applanation tonometer (r = 0.92), although the values measured with the Tono-Pen again higher (mean 4.5 mm Hg). As indicated by autocorrelation of repeated measurements, the Tono-Pen appears to be mainly responsible for the difference between the two instruments. The standard deviation of the autocorrelation of the Tono-Pen values was 4.5 mm Hg, that of the hand applanation tonometer only 1.2 mm Hg. The considerable standard deviation of the Tono-Pen measurements may be due to the structure of the human cornea, and in particular Bowman's membrane. The reproducibility of Tono-Pen measurements is too low for it to be recommended for ophthalmological diagnosis.