Surgical results in acute glaucoma.

A REVIEW of the literature of the past 10 years shows little published work on the results ofsurgery in acute closed-angle glaucoma. This is rather surprising in view of the wider use of the classification into simple glaucoma and closedangle glaucoma (see, for example, Duke-Elder, 1955) and the better understanding of some of the mechanisms involved in the latter type. This has led to the use of peripheral iridectomy and to a change in the criteria for filtration operations. During this period Diamox (acetazoleamide) has also become available. McDonald (1956) published an interesting series of 58 consecutive cases of iridectomy for closed-angle glaucoma, and the incidence and causes of postoperative iritis in glaucoma surgery were reviewed by Kalt, Decaudin, and Krajevitch (1954). Mackie and Rubinstein (1954) reported the results of iridencleisisin "unrelieved" acute closed-angle glaucoma. In all these papers, however, the material either included types other than the acute phase of closed-angle glaucoma or consisted of selected cases. It seemed worthwhile therefore to analyse the case records of a consecutive series of patients who were admitted to this University Unit with a diagnosis of acute "congestive" glaucoma and were followed up in the Glaucoma Clinic.