OPACITY OF THE VITREOUS. 



From iaflammation of the ciliary body, choroid or retina. Pupil copperas 

 green with white points, lines or patches, move in opposite direction from 

 the eye, liquefied vitreous, crystals of cholesterine, scintillance, opacity. 

 Treatment. 



Opacities visible with the ophthalmoscope usually come from 

 effusion of blood into the vitreous, or inflammation of the retina, 

 choroid, or ciliary body. Blood thrown into the vitreous will 

 usually leave some permanent turbidity. In choroiditis or re- 

 tinitis the ophthalmoscope may reveal the changes in these 

 structures. A turbidity appearing in the anterior portion of the 

 vitreous, without any apparent cause, is probably due to cyclitis 

 which cannot be seen with the ophthalmoscope, but may cause 

 special tenderness around the sclero- corneal zone. It is common 

 in recurrent ophthalmia of the horse and in irido-choroiditis in 

 animals generally, and may be a distinct feature of glaucoma. 

 The general reflection of the pupil is copperas green, but gray 

 or white points, lines, bars or patches may often be recognized. 

 These being back of the lens and axis of the eye, move in the 

 opposite direction from the line of vision, thus if the eye looks 

 upward they descend, if it looks downward they ascend, if it 

 turns to the right, they turn to the left and vice versa. Tested 

 by a burning candle the three reflections remain clear and 

 distinct unless lens or cornea are affected. 



Not infrequently the vitreous is found abnormally fluid, and 

 among its solid particles in affected horses have been found crys- 

 tals of cholesterin (Jacobi) and tyrosin (MoUer). In the illumi- 

 nated vitreous such crystals may be seen to reflect the light like a 

 shower of sparks (synchysis scintillans). Opacity of the vitre- 

 ous has been seen in cases of amaurosis in horses (Hertwig) and 

 glaucoma in lambs (Prinz). 



Treatment is rarely satisfactory, though in some recent cases, 

 and in the absence of any other irremovable lesion, reabsorption 

 of a slight exudate may take place, in connection with the use of 

 mild saline laxatives and diuretics. 

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