GLAUCOMA 549 



parts of the eye. These sometimes present symptoms con- 

 fusingly like it. The eye should be carefully examined to 

 avoid error in this regard. Should a perforating wound be 

 found the diagnosis is simplified. 



Prognosis.— Unfavorable. Almost every case leads to 

 destruction of the eyeball. 



Treatment.— An effort should be made to arrest the spread 

 of the infection. Obviously as the deeper structures are 

 involved this is difficult to accomplish. The eye should 

 be flushed with warm antiseptic solutions (boric acid, 2 per 

 cent.; ichthyol, 3 per cent). Subconjunctival injections of 

 1-2 c.c. of a solution of cyanide of mercury (0.5 per cent.) 

 are recommended. Suppurating wounds should be drained 

 and flushed out. Usually enucleation of the eyeball becomes 

 necessary. 



GLAUCOMA. 



Definition.— A term applied to a number of diseases of 

 the eye marked by intense intra-ocular tension, atrophy 

 of the papilla and blindness. It is rare in animals. It 

 is supposed to be due to some disturbance in the lymph 

 or blood circulation of the eyeball which may be congenital 

 or acquired. 



Symptoms.— Glaucoma develops gradually without signs 

 of inflammation and with little evidence of pain. The early 

 stages are often overlooked. As the disease progresses the 

 pupil dilates and a marked hardness of the eyeball develops 

 due to increased intra-ocular pressure. The cornea may be 

 clear or cloudy. With the ophthalmoscope the optic nerve 

 appears cupped. The vision is gradually destroyed. In 

 some cases (inflammatory glaucoma) acute inflammatory 

 symptoms suddenly develop. 



Prognosis.— Bad. 



Treatment.— Eserin or pilocarpin should be tried; if 

 unsuccessful relieve the intra-ocular pressure by paracentesis 

 of the anterior chamber of the eye. The results are usually 

 unsatisfactory. 



