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The Use of Tinted Lenses in the Operating Room
NOTES, CASES, INSTRUMENTS
pensive and can be cut into plates of any desired shape or thickness. For this test are required three discs of Polaroid, 36 mm. in diameter, and 2 mm. thick. They are held in the ordinary trial frame with the handle corresponding to the polarizing axis. One Polaroid disc is placed before each eye with the polarizing axis horizontal. Before the uninjured eye, the third Polaroid disc is placed with the polarizing axis still horizontal. The patient is then asked to read the smallest possible line of letters on the test chart with both eyes open. Immediately the third Polaroid disc is rotated so that the polarizing axis becomes vertical for the length of time that it takes to read three or four letters. The rotation of the third disc to the vertical position prevents the passage of any light so that if the reading of the test chart is continued during this time, it is very evident that the injured eye is functioning. The discs may be used with correcting spectacles lenses if necessary. Two points must be kept in mind while making this test: Care must be exercised to see that the injured eye is not closed while the Polaroid discs before the other eye are at right angles. Otherwise the test is valueless. Furthermore, the uninjured eye must be occluded by the opposed Polaroid discs for only a short period at a time so that the patient does not become aware of the momentary elimination of vision in that eye. Polaroid discs, 2 mm. thick, have a light-green color when the axes are parallel; when the axes approach right angles, the small amount of light that filters through becomes violet. Visual acuity through a disc of this thickness is re-
301
duced approximately five percent, which does not interfere with the validity of the test. 58 East Washington Street.
THE USE OF TINTED LENSES IN THE OPERATING ROOM
A. L.
SORESI,
M.D.
New York
The modern operating room is supplied with very powerful lights to illuminate the operative field. Without entering into a discussion of the effects of the bright light reflected by various objects, it need only be mentioned that such reflections tire the eyes, irritate them, and prevent the perception of the finer details of objects. In regard to finer perception, tinted lenses will accomplish for the surgeon's eyes the same purpose that filters serve for the lens of the camera. Anyone skeptical about this assertion can easily convince himself of its truth by placing a piece of light-yellow celluloid or lightyellow sun glasses before the eyes. There is an ideal filter for every type of light, and surgeons can find the ideal filter for their personal use by consulting their eye physicians. The brighter the light reflected on the operative field, the denser must be the filter. I feel certain that every surgeon will be greatly helped, as I have been, by the use of tinted glasses, both in the perception of details and in the preservation of their eyesight. Ophthalmologists should advise the use of these glasses. 135 East Fifty-Fifth Street.
pensive and can be cut into plates of any desired shape or thickness. For this test are required three discs of Polaroid, 36 mm. in diameter, and 2 mm. thick. They are held in the ordinary trial frame with the handle corresponding to the polarizing axis. One Polaroid disc is placed before each eye with the polarizing axis horizontal. Before the uninjured eye, the third Polaroid disc is placed with the polarizing axis still horizontal. The patient is then asked to read the smallest possible line of letters on the test chart with both eyes open. Immediately the third Polaroid disc is rotated so that the polarizing axis becomes vertical for the length of time that it takes to read three or four letters. The rotation of the third disc to the vertical position prevents the passage of any light so that if the reading of the test chart is continued during this time, it is very evident that the injured eye is functioning. The discs may be used with correcting spectacles lenses if necessary. Two points must be kept in mind while making this test: Care must be exercised to see that the injured eye is not closed while the Polaroid discs before the other eye are at right angles. Otherwise the test is valueless. Furthermore, the uninjured eye must be occluded by the opposed Polaroid discs for only a short period at a time so that the patient does not become aware of the momentary elimination of vision in that eye. Polaroid discs, 2 mm. thick, have a light-green color when the axes are parallel; when the axes approach right angles, the small amount of light that filters through becomes violet. Visual acuity through a disc of this thickness is re-
301
duced approximately five percent, which does not interfere with the validity of the test. 58 East Washington Street.
THE USE OF TINTED LENSES IN THE OPERATING ROOM
A. L.
SORESI,
M.D.
New York
The modern operating room is supplied with very powerful lights to illuminate the operative field. Without entering into a discussion of the effects of the bright light reflected by various objects, it need only be mentioned that such reflections tire the eyes, irritate them, and prevent the perception of the finer details of objects. In regard to finer perception, tinted lenses will accomplish for the surgeon's eyes the same purpose that filters serve for the lens of the camera. Anyone skeptical about this assertion can easily convince himself of its truth by placing a piece of light-yellow celluloid or lightyellow sun glasses before the eyes. There is an ideal filter for every type of light, and surgeons can find the ideal filter for their personal use by consulting their eye physicians. The brighter the light reflected on the operative field, the denser must be the filter. I feel certain that every surgeon will be greatly helped, as I have been, by the use of tinted glasses, both in the perception of details and in the preservation of their eyesight. Ophthalmologists should advise the use of these glasses. 135 East Fifty-Fifth Street.