[Progress in ophthalmology in the last 25 years]

In the last 25 years, ophthalmology has: 1. seen great changes, more in surgical and diagnostic aspects, less in pharmacology.

General introduction of the operating microscope and improvements in microsurgial techniques; replacement of the opacified crystalline lens with a plastic intraocular implant; vitreal surgery for treating advanced diabetic vitreo-retinopathy and complicated retinal detachments; thermal, photodisruptive, and photoablative application of laser light for treatment of diabetic retinopathy, of glaucoma, and of post-cataract capsular membrane formation; improvements in keratoplasty; radiation therapy of choroidal malignant melanomas.

Fluorescein angiography, automated computer perimetry; echography; improved electro-physiological examinations; new imaging techniques [CT and NMR]. Medical treatment: Introduction of beta blockers in the treatment of glaucoma, virostatics for corneal herpes [Iodoxyuridine, Vidarabine, Trifluorthymidine, Acyclovir], Cyclosporine-A for keratoplasty--these are most of the landmarks. 2. witnessed a breakthrough in clinical therapeutical trials with controlled, randomized, multi-center studies, particularly in the USA to answer the question concerning the efficacy of therapy in disease entities having poor prognosis, e.g. of diabetic retinopathy or of senile macular degeneration. 3. experienced a change in its structure through an enormous increase in knowledge and in diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities with subspecialization in research and clinic, through an increase in the number of permanent and training positions in the clinics with a corresponding increase in privately practicing ophthalmologists, and through improvements in surgery, permitting drastically reduced hospitalization periods or even partial transfer of surgery from the clinic to the private practice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)