A. Turnbull, M.D.
Opacity of the Cornea
CASE 1.
Opacity of the Cornea, the sequel of Small-pox.
John Wright, a porter, aged 23, No. 10, Bear Yard, says that he has been nearly blind in the right eye from small-pox, since he was two years old. Five years since he was attacked with violent ophthalmia, in consequence of exposure to cold. He then applied to one of our Ophthalmic Institutions, where he remained as an out-patient for eight months. For the first six months he had, thrice a week, caustic applied to his left eye, after which black ointment for the remainder of the time; but without receiving benefit. He then went to another institution, where he remained an out-patient for seven months. The treatment here consisted in dropping into the eye a liquid, and at other times a powder was shaken into it, from which he derived no benefit. He then consulted a private practitioner, who relieved him; but, not satisfied with this, he went to another surgeon, who said that the cause of his blindness was owing to a little squint, and he submitted the eye to be operated upon for that purpose; but no good was derived from this operation. None of the medical men attempted to do anything to the right eye.
In September, when I first saw him, his left eye was very much diminished in size, and the cornea studded with white spots; the vision very imperfect, and constantly discharging water. The right eye was so opaque that neither iris nor pupil was to be seen, and he could only see the shadow of an object.
On the 23rd of January the left eye had got tolerably clear and free from all specks, but still subject to water when exposed to the wind.
The right eye is now becoming transparent, and vision in it is improving. He states that it will soon be the best eye.