4. If the eye contain a foreign body. Usually these are pieces of metal or glass. The following points should be investigated to determine whether the foreign body be in the eye:—
(i) The history of these accidents is usually the same. The patient is chipping with a hammer and chisel, and a piece flies off and strikes the globe. In the case of glass it is usually a mineral-water bottle which bursts.
(ii) The position and nature of the wound in the cornea and sclerotic.
(iii) The condition of the anterior chamber—whether evacuated or not.
(iv) The tension of the eye, which may be lowered.
(v) The presence of a hole in the iris.
(vi) The presence of traumatic cataract.
(vii) Whether the foreign body is visible with the ophthalmoscope or by focal illumination.
