Vitreous Escape in Intracapsular Extraction of Cataract in Prominent Eye-Balls or Fat Patients

IF both fornices are exposed to view when lookingfrom the side, the assistant has efficiently managed the lids and the eyebrow and vitreous should not escape. This" is the test. The surgeon should satisfy himself in this respect before opening the eye-ball. Exposure of the fornices is easy when the globe is shrunken and in patients of slender constitution. It is sometimes impossible with prominent eye-balls and_ in fat people. In the latter case the following step requires to be taken to avoid vitreous escape. 1. Let the assistant manage the lids and the eyebrow. 2. Make a preliminary conjunctival flap if you make one. 3. Take a small pledget of cotton wool. Place this whilst wet upon the exposed eye-ball. 4. Place your thumb, index finger and the middle finger on the cotton wool pledget erect upon the eye-ball. The tips only should rest