Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-14
GLASS Eyes.

The duplication of the human eye IN
form. color. motion, in everything ex-
cept the sight itself. IL one Of the great
triumphs Of modern art. From al!
time men who have lost one OF theiI
organs Of sight seem TO have made
some attempt to remedy the defOrmfty.
Among various people use has been
made OF gold. brass and porcelain IN
the construction of artificial eyes. but
until the early portion Of the 18th CEN
tury their wearers must have FOUND
them very unsatisfactory. About that
Period the French found that by a COM
l:nation Of glass and enamel the
requisite lightness and finish could be
secured. From that discovery the
manufacture progressed gradually I'M
til ii attained its present state Of per-
lection.
The popular idea is that the artificial
eye is in the form OF sphere and COM
pletely fills a cavity after the removal
OF the natural organ. In point OF fact,
he glass eye has abou. the same shape
as a portion Of an eccshe!l cut off very
close 10 the smaller end. The white of
the glass eye is one-fortieth of an inch
thick. while the cornea. or the coiore
portion. IL one;wentieth of an incn
thick. The use Of the enamel gives a
perfectly smooth surface. under which
are made in exact reproduction of the
natural eye. the minute veins seen
covering the white portion.
The cornea has a very slight eleva-
ton. anu In color can be made 20
match any orb. The edge Of the glass
Ii sometimes ground and used without
any further finish. Ground edges are
liable to produce irritation. The. hes,
glass eyes are those winch havf deli
| cately ena.neied edges. presenting.
even under the microscope. mo- rough
ness nf surface in any part. The most
favorable condition for the use ~ Il
still remains in the socket. although
shrunken and destroyed for all pur-
poses OF sight.
In the majority OF cases the oculist
tries upon the patient first an eye
smaller than the size required tn ma e
with the sound eye. This is especially
necessary wncn the parts are still ten
der. In a short time this may ne re-
moved and a larger substituted until
the required size Is arrived at. II
there be a sufficient portion of the
natural organ remaining II is almosi
Impossible 10 distinguish the glass eve
from its mate.
The renedying of a dec5rmity is
among the slightest of the advantages
resulting from the use Of the glass eye.
Il the organ he lost before the patient
is fully grown an artificial one will
prevent contraction OF the eyeiids. II
nbvaies the discomfort and irritation
produced by the turning in of the
ashes. II guards against the entrance
of foreign bodies and prevents the "a
emulation of tears in the orbit.
Great care is required by any one
we;si ing an artificial eye u must he
removed frequently and thoroughly
clelnsed and then dried with lint oI
>rft cotton. If it is placed in cold
water the change in temperature is
very lpt 10 crack and roughen the
enameltI surface. After being worn
for some time. particularly If it be sub
jected to ANYTHING which approaches
care less handling. the fine gloss will
disappear. The eye is liable to injure
the inner skin OF the lids, and either a
new one must he procured. or. when
possible. the old one repoliShed. This
latter may be often done At slight eX-
pense. and the eye he put in as good
condition as when first purchased.
The cost Of an artificial eye varies |
from SIC TO $l5. This may seem high |!
price. but it is rendered necessary by |
the varied and extensive stock the |
ocullst is obliged to keep on hand. The |
number Of variations produced by |
color, formatio and cause of dsstrlic- !
ton to the eye is SO great that even |
with thousands of glass eyes in stock I
il is often necessary to manufacture |
one expressly to suit a patients needs. |
compal atvely speaking, there are |
few glass eyes used. Philadelphia. |
large as it is. has no mandatory N |
the article. There are only one or two
in New York. which can supply nearly |
all those used in this country. France |
and England make large number. but
their trade is principally confined to
Europe. In fact. the makers in this
country can turn out as good. il not
better work than their competitors
over the water and have an equally
good reputation.-Philade Times. |!