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. 2016 Sep 14;8(Suppl 1):1-4.
doi: 10.4137/OED.S40424. eCollection 2016.

David Kasner, MD, and the Road to Pars Plana Vitrectomy

Christopher F Blodi  1
Affiliations

David Kasner, MD, and the Road to Pars Plana Vitrectomy

Christopher F Blodi. Ophthalmol Eye Dis. .

Abstract

David Kasner, MD (1927-2001), used his extensive dissections of eye bank eyes and experiences in teaching cataract surgery to resident physicians to realize that excision of vitreous when present in the anterior chamber of eyes undergoing cataract surgery was preferable to prior intraoperative procedures. Noting that eyes tolerated his maneuvers, he then performed planned subtotal open-sky vitrectomies; first on a traumatized eye in 1961, then on two eyes of patients with amyloidosis (1966-1967). The success of these operations was noted by others, most particularly Robert Machemer, MD. Kasner's work directly led to further surgical developments, including closed pars plana vitrectomy.

Keywords: history of ophthalmology; retina; retinal surgery; vitrectomy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Kasner as a teen in New York City (provided with permission, courtesy of Joan Kasner).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Kasner in the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute pathology laboratory (provided with permission, courtesy of Joan Kasner).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Kasner in later years (provided with permission, courtesy of Joan Kasner).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Jaffe NS. Cataract Surgery and its Complications. St. Louis, MO: CV Mosby; 1981. pp. 266–7.
    1. Boyd B, Kasner D. Vitrectomy: a new approach to the management of vitreous [personal interview] Highl Ophthalmol. 1969;11:304–9.
    1. Kasner D, Miller GR, Taylor WH, Sever RJ, Norton EW. Surgical treatment of amyloidosis of the vitreous. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol. 1968;72:410–8. - PubMed
    1. Cerasoli JR, Kasner D. A follow-up study of vitreous loss during cataract surgery managed by anterior vitrectomy. Am J Ophthalmol. 1971;71:1040–3. - PubMed

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