[Specific preoperative hypotony in cataract extraction ]

The authors report on the results of a comparative study on vitreous loss in connection with cataract surgery before and after the introduction of oculopressure (Vörösmarthy). As a result of the preoperative reduction in vitreous volume caused by oculopressure the percentage of vitreous loss was reduced from 11% in 381 extractions to 6.2% in 802 cataract operations. A third group in which oculopressure, mannitol infusions and alphachymotrypsin zonulolysis was performed, did not show another significant reduction in the vitreous complication rate (from 6.2 to 5.5% in 506 operations). Nevertheless the authors recommend routine application of all three techniques used in the third group.