[Reprinted from The Medical Press of Western New York, November, 1885.] 
A PROTECTIVE SHIELD FOR THE EYE 
Br Lucien Howe M. D. 
Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Med. Dep't, Uniu. of Buffalo. 
The appliance to which I wish to call attention is as simple as it 
is useful. It consists of nothing more than a wire shield, which, 
fastened over the eye, prevents any injury to it. This shield is ellip- 
tical in form, measuring about three inches long, by two and a half 
wide. Its strength is of considerable importance, and for this 
reason it is better to have the wire about an eighth of an inch thick, 
crossed in wide meshes, and firmly soldered at the points of con- 
tact. The whole is bent so as to be convex anteriorly, and with 
slight adjustment can be fitted to the brow and cheek, so as to rest 
equally upon these parts, making no pressure upon the bandage 
which may cover the eye. For the sake of comfort, also, it is ad- 
visable to have the circumference well padded and covered with 
chamois-skin. It is adjusted in place of having a tape attached to 
each end of the long diameter, and bound around the head. If 
necessary, for the sake of additional security, still another tape can 
be attached obliquely, passing upwards over the forehead and down- 
ward behind the ear on the opposite side. The whole arrange- 
ment is similar to such protective bandages as are sold by some 
of the instrument-makers for binding over the arm after vaccina- 
tion. In the general idea there is nothing new, but in its applica- 
tion to ocular surgery I do not think this has received the atten- 
tion which it deserves. It is especially adapted for protecting eyes. 
of a child after injury 
from accident or oper- 
ation. We all know 
how difficult it is to 
prevent such a patient 
from disturbing the 
bandage or rubbing the 
eye violently. In many 
cases it is necessary to 
tie the hands to avoid 
this. But with such a 
protective shield, the 
little patient can be al- 
lowed the utmost freedom, secure, as we are, that when this is 
properly adjusted, the eye can receive no injury. It is also useful 
after operations upon adults; for example, cataract, artificial pupil, 
or similar procedures which require opening the globe of the eye. 
In S'uch cases it is not unusual that the patient, by some accidental 
violence, or even by turning the head suddenly upon the side of 
the affected eye, so disturbs the bandage or makes pressure upon 
the globe as to open a wound which might otherwise be healing. 
A considerable experience has shown it to be of much practical 
value.