Convergence Deficiency

The case here shown is the retina from an injected right eye ,taken at post mortem from a female aged 71 who had suffered from diabetes for twenty-six years. There is a Stage III diabetic retinopathy with micro-aneurysms, irregular haemorrhages, macular and punctate exudates. Although the injection is not as complete as we have obtained in freshly excised eyes, it is satisfactory for a post mortem specimen and the picture clearly shows some thousands of micro-aneurysms. Beading, localised dilatations and looping of the vessels and multiple haemorrhages can be seen. It is believed that it has not previously been realised how surprisingly numerous micro-aneurysms are and the picture is a depressing one for one wonders how it can ever be possible to reverse such a gross and widespread process by the administration of drugs or the control of diet. At best we can only hope to prevent the development of such lesions or, once the condition is established, to attempt to control the haemorrhages. I am indebted to Dr. Peter Hansell for the photographs.