N.: Treatment of diabetic retinopathy by light coagulation

THE idea for the treatment of advanced diabetic retinopathy by light-coagula-tion was first introduced by Meyer-Schwickerath (1954) of Essen, Germany. The instrument used was the light-coagulation apparatus developed by Dr. H. Littman and manufactured by the firm of Carl Zeiss. Some of the changes in diabetic retinopathy are similar to those found in the retina in certain other neovascular diseases which are benefited by light-coagulation. These include Leber's aneurysms, Eales's disease, and angio-matosis. Since it has been established that light-coagulation can destroy certain vessels within the eye and that firm chorio-retinal adhesions can be formed, it was felt that this treatment might be of some value in reducing the incidence of recurrent intra-ocular haemorrhage and detachment of the retina associated with this disease. Material and Method This series consists of 28 patients (42 eyes) involving a total 117 treatments. There were seventeen women and eleven men, their ages ranging from 26 to 7