The practical details of cataract extraction / by H. Herbert.

  • Herbert, H.
Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The practical details of cataract extraction / by H. Herbert. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    112/142 page 90
    posterior layers.) The visual defect may be due as much to inelasticity of the capsule as to its opacity ; for some- times, especially after the extraction of Morgagnian cataract, the edges of the slit made in the anterior capsule may be seen to have quite come together again, instead of providing the desired central opening. As regards the later development of capsular opacity, it is uncertain what influence the drag of posterior synechiae, or the irritation of retained cortex, may have in stimu- lating the proliferation of the lens-cells. In some cases after a time the transparent capsule (or hyaloid ?) by uneven contraction becomes drawn into fine parallel folds, and this may possibly account for depreciation of sight. It is remarkable how much of the third form of opacity may be present without marked effect on the visual acuteness, portions of the visual field only being blotted out. From these cases with good central vision it is but a step to entire covering (occlusion) of the pupil, reducing sight to moving bodies only ; and, again, another step from this onwards to pin-point contrac- tion of pupil and coloboma and their drawing up to the wound. The exact degree of defect that calls for interfer- ence varies much with the occupation and desires of the patient. Before undertaking any treatment, a careful examination of the membrane by focal light and with the ophthalmoscope should be made, the pupil being dilated with atropine where possible. The treatment of after-cataract is a matter of the greatest importance in Europe ; less so in India, where many of the patients are satisfied with only fair vision. The most diverse opinions have been held on the subject. Some well-known authorities have had cause to reject all subsequent interference as more dangerous than cataract
    No text description is available for this image
    No text description is available for this image
    No text description is available for this image