[Tübingen 1895-1899. Incidence, diagnosis and therapy of selected optic nerve, uveal and retinal diseases 100 years ago].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The records of the University Eye Clinic are almost completely preserved at the historical archive of the University of Tübingen since 1865 and shell now be reduced.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

150 records from the historical archive of the University of Tübingen were selected. We were interested in those patients treated for the first time at the University Eye Clinic between 1895 and 1899. Only diseases of the optic nerve, the uveal tract and the retina were considered. The records were distributed into groups following historical classification and statistics of the same period. These statistics were also used to compare our selection with all patients treated. For information about frequency, diagnostics and therapy a questionnaire was developed.

RESULTS:

Glaucoma: The data of the subgroup "Glaucoma simplex" showed high correspondence with the historical data regarding the frequency (24.3 vs. 25.5%). The data of the subgroup "Glaucoma secundaria" differed (34.5 vs. 25.5%). Testing the visual acuity was the first step of examination here and in all groups (100%). Measurement of intraocular pressure with digital palpation followed (86.3%). First of all Eserin eye drops were applicated (76.5%). Iritis: The frequency of acute iritis was 16.8 vs. 25.0%, and of chronic iritis 59.6 vs. 52.2%. As typical symptoms ciliar injections, fixed anisocore pupil and exudation were often seen (80.0%). Chronic iritis showed as typical symptom posterior synechia (80.9%). Atropin eye drops were firstly applied in acute iritis (100%), chronical iritis was treated by iridectomy (57.1%). Myopia: In all subgroups our data differed from the historical data. Staphyloma posticum was the characteristic diagnosis (65.8%). Myopia was treated by decision of the lens. Retinal detachment: The frequency 37.2 vs. 28.0%. In nearly all cases retinal detachment was described after ophthalmoscopic examination (92.8%). The first therapeutical step was to keep the patients staying in bed (53.8%).

CONCLUSIONS:

As expected, diagnostic and therapeutical options were strongly limited in Tübingen 100 years ago. Nevertheless, therapeutic successes were achieved in certain cases.

• Authors: J Mielke, T Schlote, J M Rohrbach
• Journal: Klinische Monatsblatter fur Augenheilkunde (Klin Monbl Augenheilkd) Vol. 216 Issue 4 Pg. 210-8 (Apr 2000) ISSN: 0023-2165 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Tübingen 1895-1899. Häufigkeit, Diagnose und Therapie ausgewählter Erkrankungen des N. opticus, der Uvea und der Retina vor 100 Jahren.
• PMID: 10820706 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Historical Article, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Germany
• History, 19th Century
• Humans
• Optic Nerve Diseases (diagnosis, history, therapy)
• Retinal Diseases (diagnosis, history, therapy)
• Uveal Diseases (diagnosis, history, therapy)