Acute glaucoma--1941.

PURPOSE

To describe the treatment of acute glaucoma before the technological and pharmacological advances that followed World War 2.

METHOD

A narrative of personal experience is presented.

CONCLUSIONS

In 1941, acute congestive glaucoma received heroic treatment - strong miotics, blood-letting by leeches, purging with mercury. If satisfactory response did not occur within four hours, a broad iridectomy was performed on the hard, congested eye. Affected eyes commonly remained blind or with severely reduced vision.