Fig. 36—Showing the vitreous (A) removed.
Holding the eye suspended by its optic nerve, force the glass blowpipe through the vitreous until it all but touches the posterior part of the retina ([Fig. 34]); blow gently at first, increasing the pressure until the vitreous suddenly bulges outward. ([Fig. 35].) If the iris has been cut away close to the ora serrata, the vitreous will not only bulge forward, but it will fall out. If, however, it does not detach itself at once, insert the scalpel close to the choroid and with its flat side press downward until a separation occurs. Do not let the vitreous drop out too suddenly, because it may tear the retina. Let the vitreous detach itself slowly by the force of its own weight, though it will be well to hold some of its weight on the scalpel. ([Fig. 36].)
Fig. 37—A. Showing retina folded upon itself by blowing air at it through the glass blowpipe. ([Page 83].)
Fig. 38—A. Showing folded retina suspended from its attachment, so sclerotic and choroid may be easily cut away. ([Page 83].)
After the vitreous has been removed, turn the eye upward, and by blowing strongly through the blowpipe at the marginal edge of the retina, turn the retina upon itself. Repeat this until the retina lies in a small wrinkled lump at the “bottom” of the posterior part of the eye. ([Fig. 37].) Invert the eye ([Fig. 38]) and cut away both the choroid and the sclerotic close to the optic nerve. No care need be taken in doing this until the scissors come close to the optic nerve. ([Fig. 39].)
Fig. 39—Showing the sclerotic nearly all cut away.
