Contributions to ophthalmology / by C.R. Agnew and D. Webster.

  • Cornelius Rea Agnew
Date:
[1878?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Contributions to ophthalmology / by C.R. Agnew and D. Webster. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    CASES OF OPHTHALMIC DISEASE IN WHICH EN¬ FORCED EXPOSURE OF THE EYES TO LIGHT AND AIR WAS SALUTARY. By Dr. C. R. Agnew, New York. It is often a nice question in ophthalmic therapeutics whether the sensitiveness of an eye to light and air is to be indulged or resisted, and at what point in the progress of treatment exposure to light and air must be insisted upon, even though the apparent immediate effect may be to induce photophobia, lachrymation, or other indica¬ tions of suffering. The following cases may, in unfolding the subject, serve as a basis for some safe and useful practical deductions. It is in this hope that we give them to the Society. The first case is one of phlyctenular keratitis in a girl six years of age. The child had always lived in a salubrious mountain district, and had had fair health. The mother stated that there was scrofula in the blood on the father’s side. The eyes had been inflamed for some weeks before they came under our observation, and during that period were constantly closed. For more than two weeks the ex¬ treme photophobia had caused the child to be confined in a dark room and to bury her face in a pillow, both during sleep and when awake. Under these circumstances the child was brought to New York to be under our care. The photophobia was now so extreme that even the most imperfect examination of the parts was difficult, and accompanied by violent spasm of the orbicular muscles and paroxysms of sneezing. It was ascertained, however, that there were small superficial ulcers upon both corneas, with delicate vessels starting from the coronae, and slight circumcorneal injection. Well lighted and airy rooms were got for the patient at a high level in a good hotel. A good dietary, including milk, fruit, and a moder¬ ate amount of beef, was prescribed. The amount of exercise and exposure to light was restricted, and attention was paid to bathing and every other sanitary need. The eyes were treated locally with atropia, levigated calomel, and water-baths at the most agreeable temperature. Iron and cod-liver oil were given internally, and at