Abstract
There is a general belief among ophthalmologists 1 that the instillation of epinephrine hydrochloride into the conjunctival sacs causes dilatation of the pupils. This is contrary to the findings of Loewi, 2 one of the winners of the Nobel prize in medicine and physiology in 1936. He has shown that when epinephrine hydrochloride is instilled into the conjunctival sacs of normal persons no mydriasis will ensue. However, if the sympathetic nervous system is rendered hyperirritable, as may occur in persons with exophthalmic goiter or diabetes, dilatation of the pupils will become apparent. In applying this test to many hundreds of patients in the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital during the last eighteen years, I have found the observations of Loewi to be correct. Moreover, I have noticed other conditions that may produce unilateral hyperirritability of the sympathetic nervous system of the eye and unilateral dilatation of the pupil
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
