Diseases of the optic nerve, the uveal tract, and retina in Tubingen 100 years ago. Frequency, diagnosis and therapy

Background: The records of the University Eye Clinic are almost completely preserved at the historical archive of the University of Tubingen since 186 5 and shell now be reduced. Materials and methods: 150 records from the historical archive of the Unive rsity of Tubingen were selected. We were interested in those patients treat ed for the first time at the University Eye Clinic between 1895 and 1899. O nly diseases of the optic nerve, the uveal tract and the retina were consid ered. The records were distributeded into groups following historical class ification and statistics of the same period. These statistics were also use d to compare our selection with all patients treated. For information about frequency, diagnostics and therapy a questionnaire was developed. Results: Glaucoma: The data of the subgroup "Glaucoma simplex" showed high correspondence with the historical data regarding the frequency (24.3 vs. 2 5.5%). The data of the subgroup "Glaucoma secundaria" differed (34.5 vs. 25 .5%). Testing the visual acuity was the first step of examination here and in all groups (100%). Measurement of intraocular pressure with digital palp ation followed (86.3%). First of all Eserin eye drops were applicated (76.5 %). Iritis: The frequency of acute iritis was 16.8 vs. 25.0%, and of chroni c iritis 59.6 vs. 52.2%. As typical symptoms ciliar injections, fixed aniso core pupil and exudation were often seen (80.0%). Chronic iritis showed as typical symptom posterior synechia (80.9%). Atropin eye drops were firstly applicated in acute iritis (100%), chronical iritis was treated by iridecto my (57.1%). Myopia: In all subgroups our data differed from the historical data. Staphyloma posticum was the characteristic diagnosis (65.8%). Myopia was treated by discission of the lens. Retinal detachment: The frequency 37 .2 vs. 28.0%. In nearly all cases retinal detachment was described after op hthalmoscopic examination (92.8%). The first therapeutical step was to keep the patients staying in bed (53.8%). Conclusions: As expected, diagnostic and therapeutical options were strongl y limited in Tubingen 100 years ago. Nevertheless, therapeutic successes we re achieved in certain cases.