Trabecular Electropuncture: a Contribution to the Theory of Glaucoma

Abstract

In trabecular electropuncture and electioprobe is inserted into Schlamm’s canal. The tube is connected to a capacitor discharge apparatus. By means of this apparatus a spark discharge is ignited on the inner curve of the electroprobe, producing holes of about 100 μm in the inner wall of Schlemm’s canal. Check-ups up to 3 years after operation show that open connections between the anterior chamber and Schlemm’s canal persist. Furthermore, the intraocular pressure is lowered in nearly all cases, but, frequently, an additional dose of drugs must be given to lower intraocular pressure. BÁRÁNY’S hypothesis that Schlemm’s canal shows at least a functional segmentation, if not an anatomical one, is supported by the discrepancy between the gonioscopic findings and the postoperative intraocular pressure values