CAUSES- The cause of many of the forms of cataract is at present unknown. It is not infrequently found to occur in several members of the same family.
EPITOME OF TREATMENT- Beneficial results have resulted from the following remedies- Belladonna, Cann., Calcarea, Sulphur, Silicea, Coni., Euphr., Phosphorus, etc.
Cataract should be extracted when the patient’s vision has failed so that he us unable to follow his occupation satisfactorily.
120. – Strabismus – Squinting.
DEFINITION. – A condition in which the axis of one eye is not parallel with that of the other.
If the squint is directed towards the mesial line, it is called convergent; if outwards, divergent. Concomitant indicates that the two eyes move together in distinction to the one-eyed movement seen in paralytic squint. Inward or convergent squint is the most common.
When a child is born the eyes move independently of each other, and thus new-born children often appear to squint. As they begin to take notice of surrounding objects they develop the power of fusion – the two images which fall on the two retinae are fused by the fusion centre of the brain. If one eye is defective from any cause, or the balance of muscles unequal, binocular vision does not develop and a squint may result.
CAUSES. – If the fusion faculty be weak, relatively small troubles may cause squint. The most common causes are hypermetropia (longsightedness), inequality of the eyes in refraction or muscle control, opacities on the cornea from former inflammation, etc. The disturbance of an acute fever, measles, or whooping-cough, or a fall may determine the onset of squint. High degree of myopia (shortsight) causes divergent squint.
If the squinting eye is not used it becomes amblyopic, and after a time fixation may be lost. The vision of this eye may be improved if the patient is treated sufficiently early, by covering up the sound eye.
EPITOME OF TREATMENT. – Belladonna, Stramonium, Hyoscyamus, Sulphur, Gelsemium, Cina., Spigelia, Phosphorus
An attempt should be made to correct the deformity and educate the squinting eye by covering the unaffected one for periods during the day. If an error or refraction be present the appropriate correcting glasses are essential. A surgical operation may be necessary.
121. – Amblyopia.
DEFINITION. – Defective vision in which there is no evidence of any ocular condition which might account for the visual defect. The term is not employed where there is any obvious lesion of the eye.
Amblyopia may be congenital; it may arise from non-use of a squinting eye; certain toxins such as tobacco, alcohol, quinine, lead poisoning, etc., produce it.
When it is toxic in origin, both eyes are as a rule equally affected, and recovery is usually complete on abandoning the use of the poison, unless it be of long standing.
When it results from disease the treatment is an under Strabismus or Squinting.
122. – Glaucoma.
DEFINITION. – A grave disease characterized by increase in the intra-ocular tension of the eye. Every case that is untreated ends in blindness.
Glaucoma is, of all diseases of the eye, the one about which most mistakes are made.
The condition may be acute or chronic, and is most common between the ages of fifty and seventy, rare before the age of forty-five.
Often a history of worry and grief precede an attack of acute glaucoma. This is probably due to the congestion produced by the emotion.
SYMPTOMS. – Rapidly increasing presbyopia, due to defective accommodation; rainbows seen around lights; patients often complain o flashes of light and of seeing objects as through a fog. In chronic cases these are the only symptoms the patient may experience except advancing failure of vision.
Acute attacks may be primary, or follow on the chronic form. The patient feels ill; there is intense pain in the eye, with redness, and in bad cases swelling of the conjunctiva. Frequently vomiting takes place, which in the inexperienced has led to the mistaken diagnosis of gastric disturbance associated with cold in the eye. The vision fails rapidly, and in bad cases perception of light only may be present within a few hours of the commencement of the attack. The pupil is dilated, the cornea steamy and anaesthetic. If the tension be not relieved the disease goes on to complete blindness, after one or more attacks.
Primary glaucoma in one eye is almost always followed sooner or later by an attack in the other.
TREATMENT. – In acute glaucoma the treatment is an immediate operation if the sight is to be saved.
LEADING INDICATIONS. – Belladonna. – Excessive Photophobia; redness of the eyes and face; threatened Glaucoma, with Headache, bright flashes before the eyes, and a sense of weight and pressure in those organs. It is particularly suited to stout, plethoric persons.
China. – Indistinct vision, sudden obscuration of sight, great general debility, and when the disease is associated with profuse discharges of blood or pus, or prolonged nursing. China may require the aid of Belladonna or some other remedy.
Phosphorus. – The pupils and eyes are of a natural appearance, and distinct objects are seen as if enveloped in mist; black spots before the eyes, and diminished vision. It is especially indicated when imperfect vision occurs in aged or enfeebled persons; or when self-abuse, etc., have led to it.
Ac.-Phosphorus – also useful in the condition last mentioned.
Nux Vomica. – Intermittent obscurity of vision; stupefying Headache; or temporary loss of sight which occasionally accompanies intermittent diseases. This remedy is further indicated where there has been too close confinement within doors, excessive mental labour, Indigestion, or indulgence in stimulants.
Mercurius-Cor. – Contraction of the pupil, mistiness of sight, dread of light, muscae volitantes, sensitiveness of the eyes to the glare of the fire, etc. This remedy is especially indicated when imperfect vision arises from organic changes in the tissues of the eye; also when there is tubercular or syphilitic taint.
Gelsemium. – A prominent indication for the use of this remedy is – desire for light, thus contrasting with Belladonna; diplopia, confusion of sight, pain in the orbits. Affections of the sight from over-exertion of the eyes are much relieved by Gelsemium, as are also those arising from over-doses of Quinine.
Euphrasia. – Excessive discharge of tears; also when the complaint is traceable to Catarrh.
Arnica. – Aching of the eyeballs when reading; Amblyopia from external injuries; and from gastric irritation, with contraction of the pupil.
SUGGESTIONS ON THE PRESERVATION OF THE SIGHT. – In addition to the measures already pointed out, the following remarks on conditions favourable and unfavourable for the exercise of the eyes may be found useful.
1. Conditions of light favourable to the eyes. – Day light, owing to its mildness, uniformity, and steadiness, furnishes the kind and degree of illumination best suited to the function of vision. With the most perfect scientific improvements, artificial light is but an imperfect substitute for the clear light of day, being often too powerful or too feeble, or flickering or wavering; at the same time the air is often injuriously heated, and deteriorated by the combustion of its oxygen. To enjoy daylight to its fullest extent involves an observance of the excellent and healthy habit of early rising; which, therefore, on this account, as well as on other considerations, we heartily recommend. Morning light is also especially adapted to persons having a tendency to weakness of vision, as the light is then increasing.
If it be necessary that work should be done by artificial light, that kind should be selected which requires least exertion, as writing rather than reading for the student, and sewing lighter and coarser work instead of fine and dark-coloured for the seamstress.
2. Unfavourable conditions for exerting the eyes. – The eyes should not be exercised directly after a full meal; when the body is fatigued; late at night, when sleepy; when in a recumbent or stooping posture; when travelling; when dressed in tight clothing – tight cravats, stays; in badly ventilated rooms lighted by gas; during recovery from severe or exhausting disease.
Light must not be too strong, or it is apt to dazzle the eyes, cause a rush of blood to the head, and excite a discharge of tears; on the other hand, a weak light is equally injurious; and if the eyes are used when the light is declining, so that it becomes necessary to hold the book or work nearer in order to see, the sight must inevitably suffer. An unsteady light, as from imperfect gas; or using the eyes are severely exercised in continually readjusting themselves. These are some of the conditions in which, if reading or other close exercise of the eyes be persisted in, the sight will suffer. The danger tot he sight is very great during convalescence from prolonged exhausting disease, when patients are apt to read a great deal; to the weakness of vision is then often added that of a bad posture, such as recumbent, or even artificial light, rendering such a use of the eyes extremely prejudicial. Convalescents should be read to, and the matter should be interesting and amusing.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."