CATARACT-SURGERY AT THE END OF THE 19TH-CENTURY AT TUBINGEN

Cataract extraction with a Graefe knife incision tvas the most importa nt development in cataract surgery during the 19th century. To determi ne the indications, visual outcome, complications, and problems of cat aract surgery performed a century ago, we reviewed patient records fro m the year 1895. With use of Graefe's technique of cataract extraction , the early postoperative visual acuity was 20/ 200 or better in 63% a nd 20/40 or better in 5%. A secondary cataract developed in about 30% of eyes. A Rat anterior chamber persisted for more than two days in ab out 20% of eyes. Astigmatism was not regularly measured, but was marke dly increased after surgery. Surgery for secondary cataract was perfor med in only 20 eyes. There was a complication race of nearly 50% in se condary cataracts. These results demonstrate some of the major problem s of cataract surgery 100 years ago: secondary cataract, insufficient wound closure, high astigmatism, and aphakia as a refractive problem. (C) 1997 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.