The clinical study of ophthalmosopic corneal images / by Ernest E. Maddox.

  • Maddox, Ernest E. (Ernest Edmund), 1860-1933.
Date:
[1892]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The clinical study of ophthalmosopic corneal images / by Ernest E. Maddox. 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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    6) THE CLINICAL STUDY OF OPHTHALMOSCOPIC CORNEAL IMAGES. By ERNEST E. MADDOX, M.D., Ediaburgh. (Late Syme Surgical Fellow, Edin.) {Reprinted from the Edinburgh Medical Journal for January 1892.) It is well to know in how many ways tlie mucli-neglected reflec- tion from the cornea, which often puts us to inconvenience in ophthafn^c work, may redeem its character by doing good service in other directions. Sometimes much time and trouble is spent over doubtful cases of strabismus, in the endeavour to ascertain whether they are apparent or real, when the matter would be at once settled by noticing the position on each cornea of the image formed by throwing the light on it by reflection from the oplithalmoscope. The patient should be directed to look at the central aperture of the ophthalmoscopic mirror, which is held in the usual position before the observer's eye at a distance of about two feet from the patient. A brilliant spot of light will then be seen on eacli cornea, as the light ia thrown first on to one eye, then on to the other. In at least one cornea the image will be seer^ to occupy what may be called the fixation position, viz., near the centre of the pupil, and generally a little to the inner side of it. This eye is therefore fixing the centre of the mirror. If the image on the other cornea occupy a very different position the latter is the squinting eye. If, on the other hand, the two images occupy symmetrical positions in the two cornece, there is almost certainly no strabismus: there is only one possible fallacy ^ and that a very unlikely one, and even this is removed by taking the precaution to cover first one eye, then the other, to ensure that each image remains unmoved from its former ^ The fallacy referred to could only occur if the difference between the two angles 7 were groat enough to equal, and disguise, the sr^uint.