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Congenital Cataract.Mr. Hutchinson, of London, has shown that infantile cataract is frequently associated with an imperfect development of the enamel on the teeth. " The incisors, the canines and the first molars, are the teeth which suffer most; and as a rule, with but very few exceptions indeed, the bicuspids escape entirely. The contrast between the clean, white, smooth enamel of the latter, and the rugged, discolored spinous of the first molar, is often very striking. " Cataracts occur from old age at any time after 35 or 40 years, but usually between 50 and 60. The patient first notices a certain haziness before the eye, accompanied by a corresponding impairment of the sight After a time a faint white body can be seen lying in the pupil. This becomes gradually more distinct and larger so that finally the pupil is entirely filled with a white mass. By this time the sight of the eye is practically lost, the patient being able only to distinguish light from darkness. Cataract follows an injury which impairs the nutrition of the lens. Thus, if a particle of iron or stone, or other foreign body penetrate the eye and enter the lens, a cataract will result within a few weeks. So, too, a blow upon the eye may shake the lens loose from its fastenings and result in the production of a cataract. Sometimes a blow upon the back of the head, or a fall upon the head, may result in an opacity of the lens. Treatment*-Whatever the cause of the cataract may be. there is but one plan of treatment - the removal of the lens. There are, it is true, several operations, one or another of which is preferred according the circumstances of the case ; but nothing can be done by means of medicines for the removal or even the arrest of a beginning opacity of the lens. After the lens has been removed, the patient recovers the sight of the affected eye ; for cataract impairs sight only by preventing the entrance of light into the eye. After the opaque lens have been removed, the light enters the eye again as before and the patient sees again. This statement assumes that there is no other disease in the eye itself than the cataract ; in many cases other structures of the eye are also diseased ; in these instances the removal of the lens may not restore the sight to the eye, since the retina or the choroid may be so affected as to be unable to perform their usual office. After the lens have been removed the patient sees but indistinctly, for it will be remembered that in order that a person shall see distinctly, it is necessary that a minute picture of the object at which he looks shall be formed upon the retina, and that in order to form this picture the rays of light must be focused by the lens. When this is removed it becomes necessary to substitute some other contrivance, whereby the rays can be focused so as to meet upon the retina. This is accomplished by placing a lens before the eye in the shape of spectacles. When the eye from which the lens has been removed is thus provided with proper spectacles, the individual can see in some respects as well as before. He cannot, of course, adapt the eye to near and to distant objects as can be done with the natural eye ; but his condition is far better than before the removal of the lens. The operation for the removal of a cataract is one of the most delicate and critical of all surgery. A slight error on the part of the operator, or - as is more frequently the case - an unfortunate condition of the eye at the time of the operation, may cause an inflammation which will result in the total destruction of the eye. It is, therefore, necessary that the very best and most proficient surgeon be employed when so important an operation is to be performed. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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