WIDENED PALPEBRAL FISSURE.
After wounds of the outer canthus the union of the edges may remain imperfect so that the fissure is enlarged and the eye unduly exposed. The case is still worse if the wound has deviated from the horizontal and has involved the orbicular muscle, the divided ends of which continue to draw the edges apart, and cause a constant overflow of tears (epiphora). Enlargement of the bulb or its protrusion by reason of a swelling beneath it may give rise to the same appearance (exophthalmos).
Treatment. Pare the edges of the upper and lower lids at the outer canthus and bring them together by sutures.