Various tumors may grow from the cornea. Dermoid cysts may implicate the cornea and demand excision. Malignant growths demand extirpation of the eyeball.
WOUNDS OF THE SCLERA.
Covered as it is by the bones of the orbit, and by the palpebræ the sclera is little liable to traumatic lesions. Wounds with swords, needles, nails, splinters of wood, and other sharp pointed bodies are not unknown, however, and penetration by shot is especially common in setters. Rupture from blows of clubs, beams, poles, stumps, etc., are also met with.
The symptoms are profuse lachrymation with more or less of blood, and when the eyelids are separated the wound may be discovered and its gravity estimated by protrusion of the vitreous. Slight injuries which are not infected heal readily under the treatment recommended for keratitis. Infecting and penetrating wounds are liable to cause panophthalmitis and destruction of the eye. Foreign bodies, if present, should be removed when possible. Pyoktannin is especially recommended by Stilling.
EPISCLERITIS. INFLAMMATION OF THE SCLERA.
Scleritis in man is described as a manifestation of rheumatism, gout, or tuberculosis. It occurs in animals in connection with traumatic lesions, with iritis, cyclitis and choroiditis and is manifested by more or less congestion, swelling and tenderness of the sclerotic, but is always subordinate in importance and the treatment demanded is for the more serious disease.
ECTASIA (BULGING) OF THE SCLERA.
Cases of this kind are adduced by Schleich and Mayer, in dogs, in which there was a corresponding bulging or even an absence (coloboma) of the choroid and retina. With a large protrusion of the sclera behind, there was a shrinkage of the front of the globe (microphthalmos), so that an atrophy might be suspected. The condition is irremediable.
PROLAPSE OF THE IRIS.
This has been already referred to as a complication of perforating ulcer or wound of the cornea. If it cannot be returned and maintained by a compression bandage and eserin, the only resort is to draw out the prolapsing portion and cut it off with scissors, the eye and instruments having been rendered thoroughly aseptic.