It should be remembered that the reading of a novel is more hurtful to the sight than that of a scientific book, because it is read faster, and the eyes are more severely exercise. A board page is also obviously more fatiguing to the eyes than a narrow one. On the eyes becoming dim after too long exertion they should rest, and on no account should an attempt be made to persist in reading by increasing the light.
EYE-SHADE. – An eye-shade or eye-protector, of brown or slate- coloured paper, covered with green or grey silk, and secured by a tape or piece of elastic, answers the purpose well for protecting the eyes from gas, etc., indoors. For protection from the rays of the sun out of doors, a wide-brimmed hat answers admirably. An eye-shade should be worn when there is unnatural sensibility to light.
SPECTACLES. – Spectacles of plain blue glass are useful for morbid sensibility of the eyes to light, and may be darker or lighter in shade, according to the amount of protection required; or brown or smoke coloured glasses may be used if preferred. The latter cut off the rays of light, and consequently render vision somewhat less distinct; while blue glasses, excluding the orange rays only, interfere less with the clear definition of objects. Green glasses protect the eyes from the red rays; but it is the orange rays which are most intolerable to a sensitive retina.
In all measures adopted for the general protection of the eye, good ventilation and a healthy temperature must not be forgotten.
123. – Muscae Volitantes (Muscae Volitantes) – Spots before the Eyes.
DEFINITION. – An appearance before the vision as of black motes; or of thin grey films, like the wings of a fly; or half- transparent grey threads, like spiders’ webs; or if viewed against a white wall, or other clear and near object, they appear as one of a number of small circles with a central aperture. They depend probably upon minute remains of the embryonic tissue in the vitreous humour.
Mouches volantes have no clinical importance. They do not interfere with the acuteness of vision. Those annoyed with them are strongly recommended not to look for them, as in that case others are very apt to become visible.
CAUSES. – The exciting causes of these ocular spectres are chiefly the following short sight (myopia), excessive use of the eyes, especially in artificial light, or in badly-ventilated rooms; insufficient sleep; certain fevers, as Typhus and Enteric; deranged digestion; Hypochondriasis; morbid sensibility of the general system from business or family cares, or mental distress. A hypochondriacal person having once detected muscae, takes such frequent notice of them that they become a subject of great anxiety.
TREATMENT. – Hyoscyamus, Belladonna, Cocc., Coni., Mercurius-Cor., Zincum met.
ACCESSORY MEANS. – Treatment must be mainly directed to detecting and removing the exciting cause. If the eyes have been overstrained, rest is essential; entire or partial relief from ordinary daily duties; daily moderate out-of-door exercise in country or sea air; a regulated, nourishing diet; and bathing of the eyes, with cold water, for two or three minutes, several times daily. If muscae are very troublesome, blue glasses should be worn to render them less apparent.
124. – Inflammation of the Eyelids – Blepharitis.
It is one of the commonest of eye diseases amongst children, and it is twice as often seen amongst dirty children as amongst clean.
The inflammation may be either acute or chronic in its course. When acute it is usually started by an inflammation of the skin of the lids or of the conjunctiva; thus it is particularly frequent after measles and scarlet fever, which affect both these structures, or after eczema of the skin.
In mild chronic cases blepharitis is usually a sign of irritation caused by an error of refraction, and may necessitate correction by the appropriate glasses.
SYMPTOMS. – The lids look sore, a slight gummy discharge, minute ulcers, with a deposit of crust along the edges of the lids, and dropping out of the hairs, are the chief symptoms. In inveterate cases the hairbulbs are destroyed. The longer the disease has existed, the more difficult it is to cure.
TREATMENT. – Aconitum. – Febrile symptoms, and when the affection has arisen from exposure to cold. Belladonna. – Bright redness of the apart; dread of light. Apis. – Much swelling (oedema). Rhus Tox. Erysipelatous appearance of the lids; formation of small vesicles. Hepar Sulph. – Neglected cases with suppuration. Conium. – Chronic.
ACCESSORY TREATMENT. – Remove all scabs by bathing with warm alkaline lotion (five grains of sodium carbonate to the ounce of water), two or three times a day. Then apply one of the following ointments Calendula ointment; Boracic acid ointment; dilute nitrate of mercury ointment; yellow oxide of mercury ointment.
Any error of refraction must be corrected.
125. – Hordeolum – Stye on the Eyelid.
DEFINITION. – A small, painful abscess, with slight inflammatory symptoms, projecting from the margin of the eyelids. They tend to recur.
TREATMENT. – Pulsatilla. – This is the principal remedy and should be the first administered, alone, or in alternation with Aconite – if given very early, Pulsatilla often disperses the Styes; one or two drops may also be applied locally. If Pulsatilla fails to relieve soon, Staphisagria should be given.
Aconitum. – Inflammation, pain, and restlessness.
Sulphur. – A dose morning and night, for a few days to prevent a recurrence of styes.
Calcarea and Sulphur. – Are chiefly valuable in frequently recurring Styes, and especially in debilitated patients. They should be administered for a week in succession, as follows – Calcarea, morning and night, for a week; then, after waiting two or three days, Sulphur in the same manner, repeating the course as often as necessary.
AUXILIARY TREATMENT. – Hot Boracic or Calendula fomentations. When there is a definite abscess, it should be opened with a lancet, or punctured with a needle, and the matter gently pressed out. If dependent on general debility, hygienic measures are necessary to restore the constitutional vigour. Cod-liver oil is often required.
126. – Entropium (Entropion) – Inversion of the Eyelid; and Ectropium (Entropion) – Eversion of the Eyelid.
DEFINITIONS. – Entropium is a growing inwards of the eyelid and lashes, so as to occasion great disfigurement, and constant irritation of the globe of the eye, often leading to Chronic Ophthalmia. It generally caused by old or Granular Ophthalmia, and the employment of caustics, and chiefly occurs amongst the lowest ranks of society, especially the Irish.-Ectropium is an eversion of the eyelid. It may result from burns on the face, or from scarring from various causes.
TREATMENT.-Sulph., Mercurius, or Euphr is generally required. Also cod-liver oil. Both conditions generally require surgical treatment.
ACCESSORY MEANS.- Great benefit will result from frequent cold or tepid baths, and the occasional local use of Calendula lotion (ten drops of Calendula to two tablespoonfuls of water).
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."