Cataract extraction / by H. Herbert.

  • Herbert, H.
Date:
1908
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Cataract extraction / by H. Herbert. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    That is, a very shallow flap section may be made instead of the so-called linear section. Irrigation is often a great help in the removal of cortex, especially when alternated with external pressure, and with introductions of the curette to break up the lens matter. It is, however, better to leave much of the lens behind, and to trust in atropin and mercury afterwards, than to continue in prolonged efforts at removal. A very partial evacuation suffices for the reduction of high tension. In the case of a very overripe cataract opaque capsule may have to be extracted in part or whole. Iris forceps are commonly suitable. As a small modification, the lens capsule may be opened with the point of the keratome. But the opening thus made may be too small, and if the lens happens to be very thin the posterior capsule may be punctured. The kera- tome may also be used instead of the curette for depres- sing the lip of the wound, but care must be taken in this again to avoid the posterior capsule. Where a general anaesthetic is required, much less of it need be used if local anaesthesia with cocain alone, or with cocain and adrenalin, is utilized also. Coinplicattons. 1. Iris prolapse is rare after this operation because of the slight tendency to gaping of the section, and because iri- dectomy is often performed at the time of the extraction. 2. Vitreous may prolapse during operation through puncture of the posterior capsule with the point of the knife, or in breaking up lens matter with the curette, or owing to the extraction of opaque capsule, or possibly, in cases of traumatic cataract, through the injury already sustained by the eye. 3. Unripe lens matter left behind may give rise to