We have carefully reviewed the history of iridotomy for nearly two
centuries, and noted how the pendulum has swung from knife-needle to
scissors, and back again. We have learned that Cheselden, the father
of iridotomy, originated the method of incision by the knife-needle,
which Heuermann modified, and Adams later revived and improved. We have
seen how Janin abandoned this procedure and originated the scissors
method, which Maunoir greatly improved and caused to hold sway for more
than half a century. We have been deeply impressed by the fact that the
mature, judicial mind of von Graefe led him to abandon the scissors and
revert to the knife-needle method. We have seen how, soon after his
death, the great influence of De Wecker had swerved the thought of
the ophthalmic world back to the adoption of the scissors method in a
greatly improved form.
Whether I have succeeded in citing sufficient facts and arguments
to establish my thesis in favor of the knife-needle, or not, I
nevertheless submit to the profession my V-shaped method of iridotomy
and capsulotomy with a confidence born of twenty years’ successful
experience in its use, and with the hope that it may prove equally
efficient in the hands of others who will take pains to study and
understand the method, and who may have the patience to put it in
practice.