If the absorption has been sufficient to leave the parts as before the operation, a subsequent injection of the same character may be undertaken six months from the time of the first or even later, as the patient may choose.
The tissue of the eyelid is prone to swell immediately the oil is injected, and this swelling is entirely out of proportion to the quantity introduced. This edema, due to a retardation by pressure of the blood supply, is very misleading, the operator believing the parts overinjected. A screw-drop syringe is therefore absolutely required.
A fine hypodermic needle is used, and after a few drops of the foreign matter have been injected, the lid should be massaged gently with the tip of the indicis, employing the circular movement.
The injection should be made at the outer end of the lid about one fourth inch above or below the canthus for upper or lower lid respectively.
The needle, slightly dulled, should be long enough to reach the full length of the part to be injected. Its course can be readily seen under the thin, overlying skin.
As the injection progresses slowly and evenly the needle is withdrawn.
A second puncture or injection should not be made at one sitting; if the parts are underinjected the operation is repeated as soon as the swelling of the lid has subsided, which is about the end of the fourth or fifth day.
The reaction, apart from the edema, is very little, although there may be more or less discoloration of the parts, as the result of the obstruction offered the blood vessels.
This is always an alarming symptom to the patient, but passes away completely in the usual manner in several days.
The post-operative dressings may be collodion or silk protective.