THE REGENERATION OF THE EYE.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3349, 16 September 1879, Page 2

THE REGENERATION OF THE EYE.

Galignani's Messenger reports some curious experiments lately undertaken by M. Fhillipeaux,. to discover whether on completely emptying the eyes of young rabbits and guinea-pigs, the vitreous humor would be reorganised, and whether . cTcn the crystalline would be reproduced. . ; With this view, ho has/been conducting y his operations, always, of course, taking^* care not to touch- the crystalline _ capsule, ■ for experience has shown that in order ■ that an organ shall regenerate, a portion of it must be left in its place. It seemt that a -month after the mutilation, was f, effected, the experimentalist was. able to> state that the eye, which had been emptied were filled afresh, and that the crystalline was reconstituted. He operated on 24 animals, and in each case the mutilated eye revived. This would seem to show that the optic organ has the same capabilities as the bones; tho organic process repairs au evil and reconstructs, more or less completely, that portion which hat been struck off from tne whole. How far similar results are attainable r with the ,'- ---human eye does not appear. If the same regenerating power is found, to be general, a decided improvement may be possible in the treatment of certain injuries and diseases of the eye.