Medicine: Lid Props

Ptosis is an ugly ailment of the upper eyelids. The nerves and muscles which keep the lids rolled up, except during winking, blinking and sleeping, are paralyzed by heredity, disease, poison, or hysteria. Ptosis is not often curable.

Last week Dr. John C. Neill, assistant professor in ophthalmic mechanics at Pennsylvania State College of Optometry, pretended that he had ptosis, to demonstrate to a meeting of the American Academy of Optometry a new lid prop he had devised. To the nosepiece of his spectacles he had soldered two pieces of fine, stiff gold wire, bent to fit the upper curves of the eye sockets, forming non-irritating, comfortable hangers on which Dr. Neill’s lids hung like little coats.