Changes in Refraction Associated with Transient Glycosuria.

influence on its volume. For, from the physico-chemical point of view the vitreous body belongs to the hydrophil emulsoids and it is known that the degree of swelling of such emulsoids is dependent, among otlher factors, chiefly on the acid-base equilibrium and that, within certain limits, the lower the hydrogen ion concentration the greater is the swelling. It would seem, therefore, that in the observed increased alkalinity of the vitreous body lies a possible explanation of the increased intraocular tension in glaucoma. One of the difficulties of the currently accepted explanation of primary glaucoma, as due to diminished outflow through the canal of Schlemm, is that the anterior chamber is not deeper as would be expected but is actually shallower than normal. On the present view, however, a shallow anterior clhamber would follow as a natural result from the presence of a swollen vitreous, the swelling being due to an alteration of its acid-base equilibrium, not, however, in the direction of increased acidity as put forward by Fischer, but in the direction of increased alkalinity. As regards the cause of the disturbance no explanation can be offered at present but it is suggested that more attention should be paid to the blood in glaucoma.