536 DISEASES OF THE CORNEA 



Prognosis.— Providing too much injury has not been 

 wrought by the offending foreign body, the prognosis is 

 favorable. In making the prognosis one should bear in mind 

 complications resulting from probable infection. 



Treatment.— Flush the eye with mild antiseptic solutions 

 (boric acid, 2 per cent. ; ichthyol, 2 per cent. ; chinosol, 1-2000) . 

 Foreign bodies must be removed. Further treatment will 

 depend upon the progress of the case. The affected eye 

 should be watched carefully and threatened complications 

 promptly treated. Some wounds require careful handling 

 in order to prevent perforation. 



OPACITIES OF THE CORNEA. 



Most opacities of the cornea result from inflammation. 

 Those resulting from other causes are very rare in animals. 

 The majority follow wounds, ulcers, irritant chemicals 

 instilled into the eye, or burns. 



Depending upon their density, various terms have been 

 applied to opacities: (a) Nebula, a slight turbidity. The 

 cornea appears blue or slightly foggy. (6) Macula, a denser 

 opacity easily seen in ordinary light. It may be milk white. 

 (c) Albugo, a translucent opacity, (d) Leukoma, the entire 

 cornea becoming turbid, milk white. It may be either con- 

 genital or acquired. 



Prognosis.— The prognosis depends upon the age of the 

 patient, duration, location, extent and character of the 

 opacity. The more recent the opacity, the more favorable 

 the prognosis. Superficial opacities are more readily removed 

 than deeper ones. However, the prognosis should be 

 guarded. 



Treatment.— As most opacities of the cornea are composed 

 of cicatricial tissue complete removal of them is very difficult. 

 However, some of them will entirely disappear and the cornea 

 reassume its former transparency. The following agents are 

 recommended: Dionin solution (5 to 10 per cent.), or in the 

 form of powder, has given excellent results. Begin with a 

 few drops of a 5 per cent, solution instilled two or three 

 times daily. The strength of the preparation may be 



