New truths in ophthalmology / as developed by G. C. Savage.

  • Savage, G. C. (Giles Christopher), 1854-1930.
Date:
1896
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: New truths in ophthalmology / as developed by G. C. Savage. 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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    For the best results in the way of leaving a clear cornea, the corneal part of the pterygium should always be removed by traction, never by dissection. My method of removing the growth is to seize the pterygium with fixation forceps at the corneo-scleral junction; lifting it gently, I make punc- tures with a Grafe knife through healthy conjunctiva imme- diately above and below the growth at the corneal margin. Through the puncture below, while still holding the growth with the forceps, I pass one blade of a straight pair of scis- sors toward the canthus sufficiently far to include all that I wish to remove, and bringing the two blades together I make the first incision obliquely up. In a similar way I enter the puncture above, and cutting obliquely down and toward the canthus, complete a V-shaped incision. The part of the growth thus included is carefully dissected up to the corneal margin, but no farther. Grasping this freed portion of the pterygium firmly with the fixation forceps, I direct the pa- tient to look strongly in the direction of the base of the growth while I make forcible traction toward its apex. In this way the removal is easily effected without leaving any shreds behind. This is infinitely better than the most care- ful dissection could be. Irregularities of the denuded sur- face are soon filled in with plastic material, and the whole is covered by epithelium in very few days.