SUMMARY Blood viscosity at 10 shear rates, plasma viscosity, packed cell volume, plasma fibrinogen, serum a2-macroglobulin, and serum proteins were measured in 83 patients with lowtension glaucoma (LTG) and 23 patients with 'high-tension glaucoma' (HTG: at least one IOP reading above 40 mmHg) and compared with those in 50 controls. Blood and plasma viscosity values and packed cell volume were significantly higher in the LTG group than those in controls. The HTG and the LTG groups differed only in plasma viscosity, but smoking and drinking habits in the HTG patients were greatly different from those in LTG patients and controls, thus preventing interpretation of data in the HTG group. Within the LTG group viscosity values were highest in a subgroup designated earlier by us as focal ischaemic LTG, whereas another subgroup, senile sclerotic LTG, did not show significant differences compared with controls. These findings may indicate a factor in the pathogenesis of visual field defects and disc cupping in some patients with LTG.

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The results of a longterm prospective follow-up study after the 'Double Flap' Scheie filtering operation are presented. Fifty-two eyes of 47 patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) were operated; after ten years 29 eyes of 24 patients could be examined. Twenty patients (43%) had died, in three follow-up was incomplete. The two and four year results have been published earlier. In the 29 eyes the mean intraocular pressure (IOP) without medical therapy rose from 15.8 mm Hg at five years to 16.3 mm Hg at ten years (not significant). Additional medical or surgical treatment was necessary in 35% of the eyes. Diurnal variation and outflow facility remained stable. During the ten years 13 eyes showed some deterioration of visual fields. Nearly all clinically important deterioration occurred within five years after the operation. Cataract progression was noticed in 45% (13 of 29); four times a lens extraction was performed (13%). Complete success of the operation, as judged by stable visual fields and IOP levels at or under 21 mm Hg without additional medical or surgical therapy was reached in 13 of 20 eyes (45%). Based on IOP alone the success rate was 62% without and 93% with additional treatment.