[The possible connection between the occurrence of embolism and thrombosis in the retinal vessels and the weather (author's transl)].

While in the comparatively short period of three months (middle Febraury to end of May 1976) embolisms and thromboses of the retinal vessels were suddenly observed much more commonly in the University Eye clinic in Münster we tried to discover a possible connection with the weather. All patients had conditions which predisposed to thrombo-embolic occlusive vascular disease. We use the decimal classification of weather, and on the basis of this we could prove a connection between the intensity of the start of the thromboembolic process and cyclonic and anticyclonic weather situations and situations which favour allergic-hyperergic reactions to inflammatory processes. In venous occlusion an increase in the impulse number in the area (0,02 V/m) and hence increased thrombocyte adhesion at the beginning of the thrombotic process seemed to be the deciding factor. We made comparisons with the literature. It seems to be ophthalmologically important that also increase in the light intensity can be associated with thrombo-embolic occlusions in the retinal vessels.