[The eye department at Copenhagen municipal hospital. Part 3: the epoch of Braendstrup, 1957-1980].

Poul Braendstrup (PB 1912-80) was the best qualified to become head of the eye department at Kommunehospitalet (KH) in 1957, with an eminent great scientific production. He continued this work all his life. Three assistant doctors with different specialities were appointed 1966-72: M. Norn (external eye), K. Norskov (strabism) and Sv. E. Lorentzen (retina). Reasons for the ideal cooperation in the department are described (staff-meetings, christmas-staff-arrangements, meetings, courses etc). The number of operations increased steadily in the period, especially cataract-extractions. The newest techniques and instruments were used (cornea-grafting, vitreous surgery, xenoncoagulation (PB study tour in 1962) before laser-treatment etc). The scientific production increases, surpassing Rigshospitalet after 1967. The education was effective at all levels: In the eye-department, doctors evenings, A-and B-courses for eye specialists to become, referring eye specialists, students (from 1972 as an independent part (sect IV) of the University of Copenhagen with an ordinary professor from 1975). It was disturbing with the many removals at KH and at last the final total removal to KKHH (Hvidovre), causing loss of some of the best staff members, instrument breaks, increasing waiting lists up to one year, inconvenience for the patients and many other difficulties. This could be a warning against the continued great movings of departments in Copenhagen (H:S). The administration is criticised. PB's rationalisation of the duty-plan for all Copenhagen eye departments already from 1966 independent of the administration is mentioned.