Two months after the operation the diplopia was certainly better, but by no means removed; squint occurred periodically as before, so that sometimes single vision was possible at 3 to 4 m., sometimes troublesome diplopia was present.
During the test of convergence with prisms deviating in a vertical direction, a prism of 38° was necessary for the equalization of the lateral deviation just as before the operation. Therefore in the middle of October the internal rectus of the right eye was divided, and the conjunctiva loosened as far as the caruncle. Three days afterwards single vision, facultative divergence = prism 5°; in the trial of convergence, equalization by means of prism 8°. In the middle of October, two months after the operation, diplopia had not appeared again; facultative divergence = 0; homonymous double images are produced by a red glass before one eye, slight convergent deviation on covering it, which in the trial of convergence is equalized by prism 20°. The preponderance of the interni was now so far lessened for the ordinary use of the eyes, that permanent binocular single vision was possible.
Notwithstanding the small number of these cases we may conclude from them, that homonymous diplopia in typical convergent squint (not paralytic) can only be corrected occasionally by one-sided tenotomy when the deviation is slight. As a rule it is necessary to distribute the operation between the eyes. A result seems attainable by means of simple tenotomy on both sides, which is expressed by prism 20° in the trial of convergence. In future cases it would be desirable to determine during correction of the anomalies of refraction (1) the weakest prism which is able to unite the double images at about 5 m. distant (without red glass); (2) the distance at which the double images stand apart from one another during the trial of convergence with prisms deviating in a vertical direction; and (3) the prism which brings the double images immediately above one another in the case of objects about 5 m. off.
Next to the cases above discussed stand those where convergent squint remains after paralysis of the abducens; at the same time slightly defective mobility and a distinct moving apart of the double images towards the affected side can usually be detected. In a few such cases I could restrict myself to tenotomy of the internal rectus of the affected eye, but in those cases which I was able to attend to more particularly, double tenotomy was necessary, and did not always suffice. Here also the advancement of the external rectus is suitably applied, which I should like to illustrate by means of a few examples.
Case 49.—Mr. B—, æt. 20, was seized by paralysis of the abducens of the right eye in November, 1877. In April, 1878, convergent squint was still present, and as it continued patient decided on an operation in February, 1879. Both eyes are emmetropic and possess full visual acuteness.
Immediately before the operation the double images were united at 4 to 5 m. in the horizontal plane by a prism of 39°; towards the right their deviation rather increased. The measurable deviation amounted to 4 mm. in the right eye, the secondary deviation of the left to 5 mm. In order to proceed carefully, I confined myself at first to tenotomy of the internal rectus of the right eye. After the space of a week single vision was present at the distance of 1 metre in the middle line and at the height of the eyes; at about 5 m. homonymous double images corrected by prism 12°, together with slight difference in height (= prism 4°, base upwards before the right eye). The area of double vision extended from the limit of the right visual field to about 20° the other side of the middle line.
This result would have sufficed perfectly for a cosmetic tenotomy where binocular fusion did not exist; the annoyance caused to patient by diplopia, however, was only slightly relieved. I decided, therefore, on a second operation, not without fearing an excessive result, and performed tenotomy of the left internal rectus with a very small conjunctival wound and by closing the wound by means of a suture. The result was by no means excessive, for it was perfectly nil, apparently even negative at first, for a few days after the operation the area of single vision approached the eye to less than 0·5 m. and at 4 to 5 m. a prism of 20° was requisite for correction; however, eighteen days after the tenotomy of the left internus everything was as before. Single vision to 1 m. while prism 12° corrected for a distance of 4 to 5 m. The tenotomy then had no effect at all on the position of the eye; however, the restriction of movement dependent on it, asserted itself in that the double images were crossed on the limit of the right visual field (about 45° towards the right). On the supposition that this insufficient result might be caused by the suture of the conjunctival wound I decided to repeat the separation of the internal rectus. The agglutination of the muscle with the sclerotic is so slight for two to three weeks after the operation that the strabismus hook perfectly suffices to sever the connection; no suture was put in, but the result again was nil, and on the day after the operation single vision was only present to 0·5 m. in the middle line, just as after the previous tenotomy of the left internal rectus. It was now clear that the result with respect to the position of the eye was only unsuccessful because the antagonist did not do its duty. I shortened the abducens (without touching the internus again). The immediate effect, during the chloroform narcosis, was a terrible divergence, but on the same evening it was less, and twenty-four hours after the operation with a red glass, homonymous double images were present close together at a distance of 4 m. Ten days afterwards binocular single vision was insured, facultative divergence = 3° at 4 m., crossed double images towards the limits of both visual fields, but only on moving the eyes in a lateral direction; no practical use was made of this. If one could have diagnosed beforehand the insufficiency of the externi assuredly present here, which was probably the reason for the development of squint on the healing of the paralysis of the abducens, one would have been able to combine shortening of the right abducens with tenotomy of the internus in the first operation, whereas the necessity for the advancement was only shown by the abnormally slight effect of the tenotomy on the left side. According to accounts received by letter the favorable result has continued.
We obtain a result more quickly by the immediate advancement of the abducens. For example:
Case 50.—Mr. K—, æt. 29, suffered from paresis of the right abducens in the autumn of 1877. In December, 1878, convergent squint is present, linear deviation 5 mm. (scarcely more on the left than on the right). The defect of movement towards the side of the right abducens amounts to about 2 or 3 mm. Diplopia is present in the whole visual field with increase of the deviation towards the right. Emmetropia and full visual acuteness on both sides. Tenotomy of the internal rectus and advancement of the abducens of the right eye at the end of December. Three weeks later single vision is present in the middle line; on the left limit of the visual field crossed double images, on the right side homonymous ones, beginning about 20° from the middle line. The result was by no means excessive.
In convergent squint with congenital paresis of the abducens, not much can be attained without shortening the abducens. Of course only the squint can be removed, not the paralysis, but if once a correct position is attained for the middle line, cosmetic demands are satisfied; the outward movement, which is absent, must be replaced by turning the head.