IMPROVEMENTS IN ARTIFICIAL EYES.
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Augusto Boissonneau,, of Paris, in the Empire of
France, Ocularist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ARTIFICIAL
EYES.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Auguste Boissonneau
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
5th August 1854.
I, AUGUSTE BOISSONNEAU, of Paris, in the Empire of France, Ocularist,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ARTIFICIAL EYES" to be as follows:-
My improvements apply to artificial eyes made of enamel and crystal. The
form of the eye is that of a concavo-convex capsule, the smaller portion of
which corresponds to the caruncula. The present Invention may be divided
into two parts. The first part refers to the use of artificial eyes upon slightly
shrunken ocular globes, and consists in proportioning the length of the arti-
ficial eyes in such manner, that, taking into account the very variable pro-
portions of the pathological parts to which they are to be applied, their carun-
cular and temporal portions shall not exert pressure upon the corresponding
organic parts, and in making the necessary shortening only in the temporal
section. In an artificial eye thus formed, the cornea and iris, being brought
nearer the temporal section, throw a weight upon that point, which allows the
eye to balance upon its lower palpebral section; resting upon the corresponding

page_text: region of the conjunctival fold. Now, as it no longer exerts its previous pres-
sure on the palpebral angles, and its temporal section not being in connection
with the conjunctival reflexion of the outer canthus, it ceases to be fixed in
its horizontal position by mechanical power.
The second part of the improvements consists in forming a notch, perforation,
or aperture in the inferior palpebral section of all descriptions of artificial
eyes, whereby a communication is established between the inside and outside
of the artificial eye, which, allowing of the lachrymal fluid maintaining its
proper level, prevents its remaining in the hollow of the eye, and thus restores
the function of the lachrymal canal. This part of my Invention, in order to
be effective, should be carried out in such manner and in such forms and pro-
portions as regards the varieties of shape and size of the remains of the eye,
that the conjunctiva, which is naturally very elastic, should not, by acting as a
valve upon the notch, prevent the escape of the fluid.
This second part of my Invention may be applied to all descriptions of
artificial eyes, of whatever material composed, and whether made on old or
new patterns. The notch, perforation, or aperture may be on any point of the
inferior palpebral section of the artificial 'eye.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Auguste Boissonneau in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 5th February 1855.
.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, AUGUSTE
BOISSONNEAU, of Paris, in the Empire of France, Ocularist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Auguste Boissonneau, Her special licence that I, the said Auguste
Boissonneau, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Auguste Boissonneau, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ARTIFICIAL EYES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Auguste Boissonneau, by an instrument in writing under

page_text: my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I,, the said Auguste Boissonneau, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly. described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed (that is to say):-
My Invention may be divided into two parts. The first part of the
Invention consists of a peculiar arrangement of the different parts of arti-
ficial eyes, which causes them to assume of themselves in given cases a
horizontal position, as regards the extremities of their long diameter corre-
sponding to the palpebral angles. This contrivance adapts the artificial
eye at once for that side of the face to which it is to be applied, and at
the same time ensures its remaining constantly equipoised, without in the
least interfering with the lachrymal functions, and also its obeying the
impulse of the moving power (the remains of the sightless globe) before which
it is placed.
The second part of the Invention consists in forming a notch, perforation,
or aperture in the inferior palpebral section of all descriptions of artificial
eyes, whether of new or old manufacture. By this means a communication
is established between the internal and external parts of the artificial eye,
which prevents the stagnation and decomposition of the tears in the concavity
of the eye, and causes the lachrymal fluid to be constantly on a level with
the punctum, (the orifice which in the normal state receives the tears and
conveys them into the nose,) thus restoring the functions of the lachrymal
canal.
The vitrified substances employed in the manufacture of artificial eyes are
generally of the same specific gravity, whatever may be their kinds and
colors. The thickness of the enamel which imitates the sclerotica is the same
in all points of the artificial eye. In eyes made according to my former
improvements, the cornea being situated closely to the caruncular extremity
of the artificial eye, caused that extremity to be heavier and to sink down
towards the lower lid by a rotatory movement of the eye. This imperfection'
could only be remedied by the pressure which the two extremities of the
artificial eye exercise on the orbital parts, to which they correspond, and which
fit in the curves, which may be seen in Figures 2, 3, and 4 of the annexed-
Dearrings.

page_text: Now, my first improvement has reference to the adaptation of artificial cycs
upon shrunken globes more or less atrophied. It consists, first, in causing
the notch of the temporal extremity of the artificial eye to be dispensed with,
as shewn at D, in Figures 6, 7, and 8, the notch being no longer necessary.
The section of this portion of the artificial eye presents an almost vertical
line, which is rounded off at its extremities. Second, it consists in regu-
lating the long diameter of the artificial cyc, so that the caruncular and
teinporal portions may not exercise any pressure on the corresponding organic
parts, the pathological conditions of the orbit in which it is to be placed being
duly considered. And third, it consists in effecting the necessary shortening
by removing the temporal portion only. It will be scen below how it is that
this portion can be thus modified or shortened without making the iris lose
the central position it should occupy between the lids.
The artificial eye being thus settled, its corneal portion is placed in the
vicinity of the temporal section, and carries there a counterpoise, which allows
it to be duly balanced on its inferior palpebral section or margin, and to rest
on the corresponding part of the conjunctival fold. Now, as the artificial eye
no longer exercises its former pressure upon the palpebral angles, and as its
temporal section or margin does not any longer act in any way on the external
conjunctival fold, it is plain that the artificial eye is no longer kept in a
horizontal direction by a mere mechanical force. On the contrary, the artificial
eye is left quite free, and although it is in contact with the parts pressed
upon in the old system of adaptation, the change of place of the thicker
portion keeps it horizontally on its inferior palpebral section in perfect equi-
librium, by counteracting the difference of weight caused by its rotation.
In comparing Figures 6, 7, and 8 with Figures 2, 3, and 4, it will be seen
that the latter are mere modifications of the former, always excepting the notch
on the inferior margin, which belongs to the second part of my improvements.
According to the rules which I have just laid down, the superior palpebral
section or margin is less developed; but the proportions of this part of the
artificial eye may vary as to lightness of weight without the least inconvenience,
as far as the present improvements are concerned.
It will be easily understood that no standard as to size can be fixed, owing
to the varying state of the orbit of the sightless eyes; and because the new as
well as the old artificial eyes may undergo in their general disposition number-
less variations, any artificial eye which shall be shaped according to the method
which I have just indicated, and which will assume a horizontal position
spontaneously, without any mechanical contrivance, and by the sole law of
equilibrium, whether it be made or not of other than vitrified substances,

page_text: comes directly under my improvements, as regards principle, application, and
effects.
It was necessary to keep the artificial eye in a horizontal direction by somè
power independent of mechanical action, without increasing the weight of the
enamel, without interfering with the harmony of the features, especially as to
the spot in which the iris should be placed between the lids. I was very
anxious to avoid pressure, in a hygienic point of view, and being naturally
led to shorten the temporal margin, the centre of gravity was displaced 'and
success complete.
I will now state by what circumstance I was led to notice these facts.
When an artificial eye is contrived to maintain a horizontal position by
mechanical means, it causes on the first day it is worn a dilatation of the
external portion of the mucous membrane which supports it, on account of the
pressure of its extremities.
This first artificial eye which makes a deep
indentation in the mucous membrane should be exchanged on the next day for
another cyc, the temporal margin of which should be decidedly longer.
The caruncular or nasal margin need not be modified in this manner, because
it rests against more resisting parts than the opposite side docs. It is plain
that the latter presses directly on soft parts of a very 'dilatable nature, which,
yielding to pressure, render for some days a change of eyes necessary, until the
dilatation no longer takes place, and the parts successfully resist the pressure.
Hence arises a peculiar increase of the temporal margin or section, which
increase was preceded by a shortening of the same in the trials made to remedy
pressure. But this shortening, whilst it did not always reduce this margin to
the same extent as the opposite one, of course removed the centre of gravity
with favorable results as to the equipoising of the artificial eye.
Although my mode of equipoising artificial eyes can only be successfully
applied in the more recent shapes, my second improvement, which is now to
be described, is applicable to all kinds of artificial eyes; and this improve-
ment providentially removes a most distressing source of inconvenience, as it
entirely frees the patient from the accumulation of mucos, which was the
consequence of the tears decomposing and stagnating in the concavity of the
artificial eye.
The means by which I have succeeded in correcting this imperfection are
the following:-
:-
I cut on the lower palpebral margin a notch, perforation, or aperture, which
establishes a communication between the external and internal portions of the
artificial eye. This allows the lachrymal fluid to find its level, prevents its
stagnation in the concavity of the artificial eye, and re-establishes the absorbent
.

page_text: functions of the lachrymal canal. This notch is shewn at E, Figures 5, 6, 7,
and 8. The same arrangement also preserves the artificial eye in perfect
equilibrium, and prevents the falling in of the lid, which falling in easily
occurred in artificial eyes, of which the centre of the lower palpebral margin
pressed on the appendages of the orbit, which very soon gave way and lost
their original shape.
:
The establishment of such a communication, made in the shape of a more
or less distinct notch, similar to that indicated by the letter E, in Figures 5, 6,
7, and 8, or any perforation made in any part of the lower palpebral margin or
section in artificial eyes of whatever description, whether of modern or ancient
form, and possessing the properties which I ascribe to such notches or per-
forations, is the distinctive peculiarity of this part of my Invention.
I give to those artificial eyes, the shape of which is regulated according to
the directions which are laid down in the different parts of my Specification,
the name of artificial eyes with natural movements, with permanent equi-
librium, and with notch in the lower palpebral margin, for preventing the
accumulation of mucosities.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim as my
Invention is,
First, the proportioning of the length of artificial eyes in such manner that
their caruncular and temporal portions, shall not exert pressure upon the
corresponding organic parts of their orbit.
Second, making the necessary shortening of the eye for this purpose only in
the temporal section.
And, third, the formation of a notch, perforation, or aperture in the inferior
palpebral section of artificial eyes, for the purpose of establishing a commu-
nication between the interior and exterior thereof, and thus allowing the
lachrymal fluid to maintain its proper level in the hollow of the eye, and
restoring the functions of the lachrymal canal.
In witness whereof, I, the said Auguste Boissonneau, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of January, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-five.
AUGUSTE BOISSONNEAU. (L.8.)