In this military training film, two different methods used to remove intra-ocular foreign bodies are shown in detail. The first case involves the removal of a magnetic foreign body. An X-ray examination with anterior-posterior and lateral plates is made immediately upon the patient's arrival to confirm the existence of a foreign body in the eye. The contact glass technique is then used to locate the foreign body. With the information thus gained, the surgeon anesthetizes the eye and makes the incision. Diathermy cautery is performed as the surgeon works. Multiple punctures are made through the sclera all around the area of the proposed incision to prevent detachment of the retina. An opening is made through the sclera with a 1.5 mm. trephine over the site of the foreign body. The tip on a magnet is placed at the lips of the incision, the current applied, and the foreign body extracted. Pencillin therapy is instituted to guard against infection. The scleral opening and conjunctival incision are closed. Sulfathiazole ointment and a dressing are applied. In cases where the foreign body is non-magnetic, the Thorpe ocular endoscope is used. The removal of a foreign body using this instrument is alsoshown in detail. The scleral flap is sutured with tantalum wire, which has great strength and need not be removed.
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