In treatment of cataract massage now takes a place for several conditions. Junge, Chopin, Becker, and others order it to aid absorption after discission, just as it is used for infantile soft cataracts in order to bring about absorption of the mass of the lens by the action of the aqueous humour. When this operation is performed in the case of star-shaped cataract and the lens capsule has been opened, the lens may be brought out into the anterior chamber by kneading the sclerotic, after which it may be made to absorb by massage through the eyelid over the cornea. It is necessary to make sure of the absence of all irritation of the iris and to use careful manipulation. It must be remembered that massage without doubt increases the danger of iritis, already threatening to some extent.

V. de Laan used massage as aiding absorption in traumatic cataract. In one case with linear ulceration of the cornea and iris a large portion of the lens had been brought forward into the anterior chamber by means of the five-year-old patient's own kneading, and was absorbed there. The glaucomatous symptoms disappeared in twenty-four hours ("Centralbl.," 1881, p. 446).