Abstract

The literature of theories of causation of rubeosis and thrombotic glaucoma is briefly reviewed and attention is drawn to the fact that the causative role of anoxia of the retina, leading secondarily to rubeosis of the iris and subsequent glaucoma, was first described in 1954. After that attempts were made to prevent the rubeosis by means of destruction of large areas of retina, initially by surface diathermy, but subsequently by cryotherapy. Although the visual results of this treatment have proved to be extremely poor, nevertheless none of the 18 eyes involved has had to be enucleated. It is hoped that in the future a judicious combination of better prediction and better treatment should make thrombotic glaucoma a preventable disease.