THE EYE AND EYELIDS 



119 



method of operating which is sometimes adopted consists 

 in the application of a red-hot needle or wire to the e>elid, 

 the resulting contraction and scar causing the skin of the 

 e\-elid to be shortened. In cases of trichiasis it is sometimes 

 necessary, in addition to the above operation, to pluck out the 

 offending hairs by the roots ; this is done with a pair of tightly- 

 closing forceps with broad points. This alone, ho^\■ever, is 

 rarely more than a mere temporary measure. 



Fig. 88.— Sketch showing Elliptical Piece removed from each Eyelid 

 affected with Entropion. 



A third and simpler method than either, and one which 

 sometimes gives a satisfactory result, consists in slitting 

 the outer and inner canthus (or the outer one alone) under 

 cocaine, and then pulling the cartilage of the deformed lid 

 outwards awa)- from the eyeball. If a piece of the cartilage 

 projects, it may be cut off. In slight cases of entropion this 

 has the desired effect. The ^\•ound is kept clean with some 

 antiseptic, and soon heals. 



