Book excerpt: Vitrectomy techniques and instrumentation have been used successfully to treat a number of conditions in the anterior segment. These include: 1) vitreous in the anterior chamber, 2) inadequate pupillary openings, 3) lens surgery, 4) epithelial downgrowth, 5) hyphemas, and 6) certain glaucomas. These methods offer several advantages to the anterior segment surgeon. The advantages are primarily those of a well-controlled tissue excision system, maintenance of the normal shape of the globe, and ability to control intraocular pressure. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This work was supported in part by the Women's Committee of the International Medical Eye Bank of Maryland. REFERENCES 1. Harms H, Ber (1953): Dtsch Ophthal Ges, 58, 119. 2. Barraquer JI, Amer J (1956): Ophthal, 42, 916. 3. Stern WH, Diddie KR, Smith, RE (1983): Vitrectomy techniques for the anterior segment surgeon, a practical approach. Grune and Stratton, NY, pp. 24. 4. Orth DH, Henry MD (1978): Current concepts of cataract surgery, sclected proceedings of the fifth cataract surgery, retinal congress, Emery J, (ED) St Louis, CV Mosby, p 375. Basic and advanced vitreous surgery Section III G.W. Blankenship, M. Stirpe, M. Gonvers, S. Binder (eds.) Anterior segment Fidia Research Series, vol. n, vitrectomy Liviana Press, Padova © 1986 THE CORNEA AND VITREOUS SURGERY Severino Fruscella, Piero Ducoli and Giustino Boccassini* Fondazione Oftalmologica 'G. ß. ßietti', Piazza Sassari, 5, Roma *Divisione Oculistica, C.T.O., Via S.