Extraction of Soemmerring's ring. Before retinal surgery in aphakic detachment.

Norton (i 964) showed that retinal detachment in aphakia has a more favourable prognosis than previous workers had suggested (Schepens, 1951; Hughes, 1952; Colyear and Pischel, 1956). A small group of cases remains in which the outcome of retinal surgery is prejudiced by dense lens remnants. The major factors contributing to failure in such cases are inadequate fundus view and vitreous retraction. This paper reports experience of preliminary anterior segment surgery to clear the ocular media in five unfavourable cases of aphakic retinal detachment. The operating microscope has made this type of surgery feasible, safe and highly effective.