I04 OPHTHALMOLOGY FOR VETERINARIANS 



cause of staphyloma, this should be treated according 

 to the rules under that head. If the perforation occurs, 

 a bandage should be appHed with moderate compres- 

 sion, the bowels kept open, and any undue exertion pre- 

 vented. When the staphyloma is complete the eye is 

 of no practical value, though Hght may be perceived. 



If tension is present in the early stages a small inci- 

 sion through the cornea, at its margin, may be made, 

 which allows the escape of the aqueous, reduces the ten- 

 sion, and encourages the reduction of the thin wall. 

 The eye should then be protected with a bandage with 

 gentle pressure. When the eye has lost its function by 

 reason of extreme staphyloma an operation may be 

 performed for cosmetic purposes, as the condition is 

 very unsightly; also to allow the lids to cover the globe 

 more completely. The operation according to the 

 method of De Wecker, known as ablation or excision, 

 may be employed. The conjunctiva is first divided 

 around the limbus, undermining it some distance from 

 the margin, threads are then passed through the upper 

 and lower portion of this tissue, so that it may be 

 drawn together much like the mouth of a tobacco 

 pouch. The staphyloma is then abscised, beginning 

 at the lower margin with a cataract knife and finishing 

 with curved scissors. Through the upper and lower 

 margins stitches are placed for the purpose of drawing 

 it together, but before doing this the lens is removed 

 after incising its capsule. The corneal sutures are then 



