_Entropion_, or inversion, consists in the turning in of the tarsal
margins of the lids, and generally takes place during inflammation
and swelling of the conjunctival lining of the lid. During violent
inflammation of the lid the conjunctiva and integuments are much
swollen, and bulge out externally; by the projection the margin is
forced mechanically towards the ball, and entropion takes place. But
in this state of matters, should the lid be by any chance everted,
and not replaced, then the bulging is from the conjunctival surface,
and prevents the margin from regaining its former site, and permanent
eversion or ectropion occurs. In fact, inversion and eversion, like
phymosis and paraphymosis, exist from the same parts being put in
different relation to each other. More permanent entropion is caused by
the contraction which follows removal of tumours from the under surface
of the lids, or destruction of large portions of the conjunctiva. The
disease is most frequently met with in the upper lid.
_Trichiasis_ consists in a vicious bend of the eyelashes, or in a
supernumerary growth in the rows or numbers of individual cilia,
whereby they are inverted, and sweep the surface of the conjunctiva
covering the cornea; thus great distress is caused by the friction of
the hairs and edge of the lid on the sensible surface of the eyeball,
and inflammation is frequently kindled and kept up by the continued
irritation; it is accompanied by its usual distressing symptoms when
seated in that organ, and too often followed by a greater or less
number of untoward consequences. Sometimes only one or two hairs are at
fault; in other instances, the half of the eyelash grows inwards; and
sometimes there is a double row of cilia; one set being in the usual
position, while the other projects against the eyeball. If proper means
are not taken to remedy the evil, and moderate the irritation which it
produces, the cornea becomes thickened and changed in structure; and
vision, at first impaired and indistinct, may be entirely lost.
The symptoms may be for a time palliated by plucking out the faulty
hairs, abstracting blood from the loaded vessels, and subsequently
using ointments or collyria,—the best of which, perhaps, is the
solution of nitrate of silver. In some cases it may be necessary to
employ counter-irritation, as blistering the nape of the neck; and in
all the general health must be strictly attended to. Other means may be
required, and will be mentioned when treating of chronic ophthalmia.
The permanent cure of the disease is effected either by removal or by
destruction of the roots of the cilia. The whole edge of the eyelid,
or the offending part of it, is removed with a sharp narrow bistoury,
the operator steadying the parts by laying hold of the cilia with the
fingers of his left hand. It is necessary to remove the mere edge only,
the cilia and their roots, and not the whole of the tarsal cartilage,
as has been proposed.
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