Some aspects of congenital glaucoma (author's transl)

The following paper on certain aspects of congenital glaucoma was read at a meeting for advanced medical education. Particular emphasis was placed on a review of the theories and concepts dealing with pathogenetic factors of congenital glaucoma. Two main concepts appeared to be most prominent in past and current literature: 1. The concept of a membrane obstructing the chamber angle, 2. underdevelopment or malformation of all or some structure of the chamber angle region. In order to clarify the above mentioned concepts, three stages of development of normal human chamber angles were demonstrated by light and electronmicroscopy. Aspects of surgical treatment of congenital glaucoma were discussed. Light and electronmicroscopic findings in some trabeculectomy specimens were shown. In eyes which underwent repeated surgery, marked scar tissue was seen in the area of trabecular meshwork, thus obliterating aqueous pathways. In those cases, an excision of trabecular tissue (trabeculectomy) was recommended rather than destruction of remaining trabecular tissue (trabeculotomy).