The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-09-23
HEALING THE BLIND.
The Sight OF nm Old Woman Restored b.,
the Removal of Cntaracts.

On February A, 1884, negress presented
herself at the Eve Clinic of the German.
town Hospital, suffering with cataracts.
The lenses were Opaque, with well-mark.
ed deposits Of calcareous concretions, stu.
'ated in the anterior or visible portions OF
the lenses
Upon examination, good projection OF
light was obtained. The history elected
was that since birth the vision Ind not
changed, simply being able to distinguish
day from night, or the light of lamp, or
the shadow of dark object when brought
directly in front Of the patients face. Feel.
ing assured of the sensibility of the retina,
an operation for the cataract In one eye was
suggested, and was performed. The lens
was successfully removed in its capsule
with Critchett's spoon. There was a
small loss Of yitreous which was fluid. The
eye was closed Immediately, and the wound
healed without reacton, the eye being bath.
cd daily with a'miid astringent lotion. but
the lid was not disturbed.
) Attic end Of eight days the bnndages
we're removed, whom It was found that the
wound was closed and keyhole iridotomy
existed which was perfect in outline and
showed color msdia. The patient was as
tonished she could see objects several feet
distant, but was quite at loss to UNDER
stand the visual phenomena. She was quite
nervous from the effect Of the shock and
started violently and closed her eyes as il
from fear. She was unable to name any
object placed before her, but readily DIS
tinguished it when her hand was placed
upon it. A few moments afterward she
readily distinguished o watch which was
shown her. This was distinguished, not by
its form, but by its ticking. At this time
woods Of different colors were placed before
her and certain one given to be matched,
which was done without confusion, prov
ing accurate sensibility of the retina to the
most delicate tints, although not name
was known to the patient After several
days the object and wool test was made
again. When looking at distance she
tried to grasp the objects, and flock Of
sparrows were supposed to be teacups. Ow-
ing to her first impression Of distances she
was for quite time afraid to walk with her
eyes open, the floor appearing at distance.
A red and black color produced pain in the
eyeball, while green and white were sooth-
ing. After the bandages were removed she
was allowed the freedom of moderately
lighted room to become accustomed 10 the
objects about her, as we'll as to learn to
measure distances. She repeatedly refused
to walk, although the nurse assured her
that no danger would befall her in the ef-
fort.
The patient was soon able to associate the
name with the object, and at the end Of
some weeks, in the meantime using her eye
constantly, she was able to..mention all the
objects in the ward at the hospital but
times would make mistakes quite az ludi-
crous as the birds and the teacups. In Janu-
ary Of this year the right eye was operated
on no reaction followed, and she is now
able to see perfectly with both eyes. The
patient is now employed as general servant
in the hospital.