werner@aecom.UUCP (Craig Werner) (01/17/86)
> I have also heard of physicians mistaking an ocular prosthesis for a > real eye. Which never ceases to amaze me because I would think that upon > seeing no ocular reflexes, a physician would immediately look at the fundus > using an ophthalmoscope. I don't believe that ocular prostheses have become > THAT realistic that they have a fundus! > However, in all fairness to physicians, such an analytical approach > might be overlooked due to time pressures and the hectic nature of an > emergency room. Some things about Fake Eyes. One: in most cases, the eye fibrous capsule is preserved, and when the opposite eye moves, the fake eye moves conjugately with it. It also converges. The musculature remains intact. So, it's not like its fixed in space, staring straight ahead. Second, in a bright room, there is almost no ocular reflex because the pupils are almost totally constricted to begin with. Hence sometimes one doesn't even bother unless there is some reason to suspect something, and then one uses eye drops, because I will tell you from personal experience, to attempt to find a fundus thru a constricted pupil is a real pain. However, standard operating procedure is to try, even though, again from personal experience, it's very awkward. And there is absolutely no ambiguity if the step is taken. -- Craig Werner !philabs!aecom!werner "...if that's the hand you use, well, nevermind..."