. A treatise on diseases of the eye . w on the cheek and are very annoying to the individual. The lachrymalsac is sometimes slightly distended, and pressure on it causes an escape of lachrymal fluid into the conjunctivalsac and, in cases of partial stenosis,into the lachrymal duct. The super-abundance of tears in the conjunctivalsac causes more or less hyperemia ofthe conjunctiva, and the constantmoisture of the integument of thelids causes maceration and of the lachrymal duct may leadto (1) mucocele, (2) subacute or chronicdacryocystitis, (3) acute dacryocystitisand phleg
. A treatise on diseases of the eye . w on the cheek and are very annoying to the individual. The lachrymalsac is sometimes slightly distended, and pressure on it causes an escape of lachrymal fluid into the conjunctivalsac and, in cases of partial stenosis,into the lachrymal duct. The super-abundance of tears in the conjunctivalsac causes more or less hyperemia ofthe conjunctiva, and the constantmoisture of the integument of thelids causes maceration and of the lachrymal duct may leadto (1) mucocele, (2) subacute or chronicdacryocystitis, (3) acute dacryocystitisand phlegmon of the sac. Mucocele.—A continuation of a par-tial stenosis sometimes causes a simpleepiphora, in which the lachrymal sacis slightly distended, to pass into thecondition known as mucocele, in which the sac is distended, and thechanged and thickened mucous membrane secretes abnormal quantitiesof mucus, forming a rather thick viscid fluid. The tumor producedat the inner canthus may be very small, not larger than an ordi- FiG. 126. Mucocele. DACRYOCYSTtTtS 203 nary pea. It may attain to an enormous size and entirely hide theeyeball (Fig. 126). In the early development of mucocele the tumormay be emptied on firm pressure, the fluid escaping through thenasal duct and, in small quantity, through the canaliculi. This con-dition may last for years without the slightest evidence of inflammatoryreaction, the distention of the sac gradually increasing; or it may sud-denly pass into acute dacryocystitis. Symptoms.—The discomfort to the patient is relatively slight. Wlienthe sac is distended there is a sensation of tension and the tumor becomesquite prominent. If the patient then empties the sac by gentle but firmpressure all symptoms disappear. Treatment.—On account of the great distention of the lachrymal sacand the production of abundant mucoid secretion, a free opening of thecanaliculus and the establishment of the lumen of the lachrymal ductby probing seldom cause a cure. The
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjecteyediseases, bookyear
