THE INTRODUCTION of the microscope in ophthalmic surgery has made possible a degree of precision and delicacy of movement not possible before. Although the microscope has been available at least 15 years,1 relatively few ophthalmic surgeons have taken advantage of the improved visibility and resultant subtlety of movement which leads to more exacting surgery.2 A major reason for this lack of acceptance is the inadequacy of present day microscopes.3 These instruments, as they exist, fix the surgeon in one position and are difficult to focus and maneuver. Any slight movement of the patient requires repositioning of the floor stand and microscope arm. The surgeon's view is fixed in one plane from above. He thereby loses the advantage which maneuverability would offer by giving a composite view of the field and better understanding of the operation as it proceeds. Likewise, the view from above is at times blocked