544 DISEASES OF THE LENS 



by a solution of atropin (1 per cent.) to dilate the pupil. 

 The lids are held open with an eye speculum. With a 

 special instrument, a small knife-needle, which is passed 

 through the cornea at its margin and pushed diagonally 

 through the lens capsule into the lens proper, the lens is 

 cut and separated. The instrument is then withdrawn 

 carefully so as to avoid injury to the cornea. An absorp- 

 tion of the lens should follow. If not, the operation may be 

 repeated in a few weeks. 



Complications, such as swelling of the lens and increased 

 intra-ocular tension with severe pain, may follow the opera- 

 tion. Cold packs are recommended to reduce the swelling. 

 If they afford no relief within a short time the cornea may 

 be punctured at its margin which relieves the tension. 

 Through the same opening the lens substance may be 

 removed. If iritis result from particles of the lens coming 

 in contact with the iris, instil atropin solution and apply 

 hot packs. 



Extraction. The lens is extracted in all cases when the 

 discission operation is contra-indicated. The technic of 

 the operation is rather difficult and requires much practice. 

 It consists briefly in incising the cornea in the sclerocorneal 

 limbus, fixing the eyeball with a special fixation forceps, 

 incising the capsule of the lens, and expressing the lens. 

 The eye should be cleansed and a dressing applied. Many 

 complications may follow the operation in animals: 

 Panophthalmitis, prolapse of the iris; iritis and cyclitis in 

 a small percentage of cases. Proper and careful dressing of 

 the wound after the operation is especially important. 



LUXATION OF THE LENS. 



Luxation is not very frequent in small animals. In most 

 instances it results from traumatism. It may be due to 

 extreme intra-ocular tension in either chamber of the eye, 

 or from rupture of the suspensory ligaments of the lens. 

 The luxation may be partial or complete; into the anterior 

 or posterior chamber. 



Treatment. Treatment is of no value. A removal of the 

 lens is occasionally employed. 



