Dictionary.net

This affection is caused, at times, by an increase in the quantity of the aqueous, at others, of the vitreous, humour. In the former case, the iris is concave anteriorly, and pushed backwards: - in the latter, it is convex, and pushed forwards. Most commonly, the disease seems to depend on both humours at the same time. Hydrophthalmia sometimes affects both eyes; at others, only one. Children are more exposed to it than adults or old persons. The treatment must vary according to the cause; its longer or shorter duration; greater or less extent, etc. Hence, according to circumstances, hydragogue medicines, purgatives, general and local blood-letting, blisters, setons, moxa, cupping-glasses, fomentations, collyria, and fumigations of different kinds, have been employed. When all means fail, and the disease continues to make progress, the fluid may be evacuated, by a puncture made with a cataract needle at the lower part of the transparent cornea.

Conical, Staphyloma of the cornea.

Syn.: buthalmia, dropsy of the vitreous. See buthalmia. A disease characterized by a uniform, spherical bulging of the anterior part of the eye. Congenital glaucoma. [Gr.]