Recent Experiences with Light Coagulation

It is the purpose of this paper to give a short summary of our experiences with the Zeiss light coagulator over the past two years. The basic principles and design of this apparatus are well-documented in the literature¹⁻³and will not be discussed further. When this instrument was first used by Dr. Meyer-Schwickerath, it was felt that its greatest value would be in the treatment of retinal detachment. In our experience time has borne this out. Imminent or early retinal separation due to tears or holes in the retina from various causes lend themselves extraordinarily well to this kind of treatment. In such instances where opercula are torn from the retina due to vitreous adhesions or where holes are formed in degenerated areas of the retinal periphery, light coagulation can be carried out quickly and safely and the patient spared the shock of major surgery and prolonged hospitalization. It