OPERATIONS FOR CATARACT 15 1 



and the eye closed. After a minute's rest the lid may be 

 raised with the finger, and the escaping portion of 

 vitreous cut away with a pair of small sharp curved 

 scissors. The lid should be immediately closed and 

 the dressing appHed, but too much pressure over the 

 closed Hd must be avoided. The escape of a Httle 

 vitreous does no special harm, but the loss of a large 

 quantity lessens the support of the retina, and it may be- 

 come detached from its normal position. 



Iritis and cyclitis follow extraction in a small per- 

 centage of cases. It is often due to irritation by re- 

 tained portions of the lens substance, also to constitu- 

 tional diseases, and severe traimiatism during or fol- 

 lowing the operation. The condition must be met by 

 the use of atropin and the usual treatment for iritis. 



Delayed healing of the wound sometimes occurs, 

 even when the wound is free from capsule, lens, or 

 vitreous substance. Spasmodic contraction of the lids, 

 too great pressure of the bandage, and supervening 

 glaucoma must be looked for. If, after these conditions 

 have been corrected, the wound still gaps, the edges 

 may be touched with the silver nitrate stick. 



Dressing.— A light pad of absorbent gauze should be 

 placed over the eye and retained with strips of adhesive 

 plaster. It is well to place a layer of absorbent cotton 

 between the layers of gauze. Over this a suitable 

 metalHc mask may be placed to prevent the eye from 

 injury in the act of rubbing. The mask should be 



