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Inflammation of the Iris - Iritis.Symptoms. - One of the first symptoms noticed by the patient is a dull aching pain in the eye ; this is often regarded by the patient as neuralgia, since it is apt to extend upward on the side of the head and downward along the side of the nose. Another symptom is a certain sensitiveness of the eye to light, though this is not usually so marked as in the affections of the cornea. The appearance of the eye undergoes a change; this consists in a certain muddiness of the iris and of the watery fluid contained in the front of the eye; by comparing the iris with the one of the sound eye, a decided difference in color is usually manifest. There is usually also some dimness of vision, though this may not be noticed by the patient until his attention is directed to the condition of his sight. . The most important feature of the disease, however, and one which is always present, is a contraction of the pupil. It will be seen that the pupil of the affected eye is much smaller than that of the opposite one, and that it does not change its size rapidly with the amount of light which is admitted to it. Thus, if the hand be held over the eyes for a moment and then removed, it will be observed that the pupil of the sound eye is quite large at the instant that the hand is removed, but rapidly decreases in size; the pupil of the affected eye, on the other hand, is not perceptibly larger when the hand is removed than it is subsequently, and it is constantly smaller than the pupil of the other eye. Treatment.-One of the important objects of treatment is to keep the pupil dilated, for the tendency of the disease is, as has been said, to contract the pupil, that is to draw the iris toward the lens. For it is to be remembered that the black opening which we call the pupil is really filled up by a transparent body - the crystalline lens. Now when the iris is inflamed, if it lie in contact with this crystalline lens, as it does when the pupil is small, there is danger that the two will grow together, that is, that the iris will become attached to the lens. This is a most serious accident, which may occasion much injury to the eye subsequently. The first object of treatment is, therefore, to keep the iris away from the lens, that is to keep the pupil dilated. Fortunately this can easily be done by the use of atropine. For this purpose we employ the following solution: Atropine, - - Two grains. Distilled water, - One ounce. Three drops of this may be dropped into the eye once or twice a day, as occasion requires. The atropine exerts also other beneficial effects ; it diminishes the irritability of the eyes and affords the patient much relief. It is rarely necessary to employ any form of opium to relieve the pain. This part of the treatment is applicable to all varieties of iritis, whatever the cause may be. But the rest of the treatment varies according to the origin of the difficulty. Thus inflammation of the iris results in many cases from syphilis. If the patient has ever suffered from this disease, he must be on the lookout for this inflammation of the eyes as one of the possible manifestations of the disease. If the inflammation of the iris be due to syphilis, it is necessary to employ not only the local remedies for use in the eye, but also those medicines which are known to counteract the syphilitic poison. For an extended discussion of this subject we must refer the reader to the chapter on " Syphilis. " The following ointment may be prepared : Extract of belladonna, - Fifty grains. Ointment of mercury, - - - One ounce. These are to be rubbed together so as to make a perfect mixture ; a piece as large as a hazel nut should then be rubbed into the skin of the temple and forehead around the eye, and allowed to remain during the night. Syphilitic patients usually require tonics; for this purpose a teaspoonful of syrup of hypophosphites may be taken after meals. It sometimes becomes necessary in inflammation of the eyes of syphilitic origin, to administer opiates in order to secure to the patient the rest which he so much needs. He may take fifteen drops of the deodorized tincture of opiiiw three times a day, and twenty drops upon retiring at night. If the individual have never had syphilis, but is a frequent sufferer from rheumatism, the treatment adapted to this condition must be employed before we can hope to cure the inflammation of the iris. 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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