Minister, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Honourary President, Honoured guests, Ladies and gentlemen, Dear colleagues and friends: On behalf of the Ophthalmological Society of the German Democratic Republic I welcome you to this symposium. I am glad to see so many experts from more than 20 countries of all parts of the world assembled here in Schwerin, who have travelled far and overcome many obstacles in doing so. I wish to extend a special welcome to the Vice-Minister of Health of the GDR, whom we should like to thank for the continuing generous support of the government of the GDR for this event. It is a...