MIOTICS VERSUS IRIDECTOMY IN THE TREATMENT OF SIMPLE CHRONIC GLAUCOMA

In 1906 I presented a paper before the Section on Ophthalmology on "The Treatment of Simple Chronic Glaucoma by Miotics", 1 in which attention was called to the very satisfactory results which attend the use of these drugs in this variety of glaucoma, and their more intelligent and persistent administration was urged. It was pointed out that "while the results of operation are known to be less favorable in simple chronic glaucoma than those obtained in other forms of this disease, yet it is almost commonly conceded that even in this type iridectomy gives a better chance for retaining vision than any other form of treatment." It was questioned, however, whether there is positive evidence that miotics are of less value than iridectomy in the treatment of chronic glaucoma, as no statistical study had ever been made of a series of cases of this variety of glaucoma which had been treated