[Echooculometry in retinal detachment surgery without subretinal drainage (author's transl)].

Changes of the height of retinal detachments up to 0.1 mm can be visualized by A-scan-ultrasonography; such small changes cannot be ascertained by means of ophthalmoscopy. Based on echooculometric measurements of the maximal height of retinal detachments during the first hours and days after surgery without subretinal drainage, the final success (24 cases) or failure (2 cases) could be predicted 24 hours at latest. Thus in cases of retarded resorption of the subretinal fluid it can be decided by means of echography, wether a reattachment of the retina can be expected or a failure, the cause of which needs early detection.