This database register is a useful and powerful tool for population-based studies on epidemiological and clinical parameters of RD. Detailed analyses of retinal reattachment surgery in relation to preoperative findings can be performed in large case materials.

In order to evaluate the tissue response to metal retinal tacks experiments were carried out on 4 monkey eyes and compared to those on 4 rabbits. Non-magnetic retinal tacks (Grieshaber, Switzerland) and tacks made of 24 carat gold (our own brand) were inserted into the ocular fundus under microscopic control. The animals were kept for 3 months. In monkey eyes, histological examination disclosed a considerable fibrovascular proliferation around the retinal tack canal, including an inflammatory response, formation of collagenous tissue and glial proliferation. There was a local intra-retinal and epi-retinal neovascularization. In the rabbit retina, only a slight inflammation and thin collagenous tissue developed. Thus the tissue response was much more severe in the primate eye than in the avascular rabbit retina.

Retinitis pigmentosa or pigmentary retinal dystrophy is the most important group among the tapeto-retinal dystrophies. The degenerative process found in the retina has, in many cases, a corresponding counterpart in other parts of the body, most commonly in the CNS. Combinations of retinal dystrophy, and for instance, deafness or mental retardation are well known. Also combinations of retinal dystrophy and metabolic dyscrasia have been reported. Only few reports on the combination of retinal dystrophy and dermatological affections have been found. We have found two cases of almost total alopecia combined with retinal dystrophy. Since we have succeeded in finding a few similar cases in the literature we consider this apparently rare combination worth a somewhat closer analysis as it might constitute a specific entity.