Clinical.- Chamomilla is especially adapted to superficial inflammations of the eye occurring in children being rarely if ever, useful in diseases of the deeper tissues.
It is an excellent remedy in ophthalmia neonatorum characterized by the usual symptoms (even if the cornea has been attacked) if the child is very fretful and wants to be carried all the time. It should also be thought of inflammations of the eye in which the congestion is so great that the discharges are bloody as well purulent (Nux)
Cham has proved very serviceable in scrofulous ophthalmia occurring in cross peevish children during dentition and it will often relieve the severity of the symptoms even though it does not complete the cure. The symptoms which call for this drug are usually severe the pustules and ulcers are chiefly situated on the cornea and are attended with great intolerance of light considerable redness and lachrymation.
CHELIDONIUM MAJUS
Objective.- Twitching and blinking of the lids. The white of the eye is of a dirty yellow color. Redness of the conjunctiva especially of the lower lid. Lachrymation. Eyelids swollen and red. Redness and swelling of the margins of the lid. Hordeolum Thick yellow discharge. Photophobia.
Subjective.- Tearing pain in and about the eyes. Neuralgic pain above the right eye, especially in the evening when reading by artificial light. pressive pain above the left eye, which seems to press down the upper lid. Aching or pain in the eyeballs on looking up or moving the eyes. Sharp piercing sticking pains.
Vision.- Dimness of vision A blinding spot seems to be before the eyes, and if he looks at it, the eye waters. Blackness before the eyes, with a sensation of fainting
Clinical.- At one time remarkable success was claimed to have followed the use of this drug in a variety of eye troubles, as inflammations, opacities of the cornea, intermittent ciliary neuralgia, etc., but later observations have failed to verify much of its vaunted success.
The pain in and over the eye upon looking up has occasionally led to its employment with favorable results; as for instance in a case of acute aggravation of chronic trachoma in which the right eye had been very red and inflamed for five days, with much pain all night and a hard, sharp pain on turning the eye upward. Under Chelidonium 30 the pain was at once relieved and the acute condition had entirely subsided in three days.
This remedy may be of service in affection of the muscles, as suggested by the following case: A lady (age 40) reported that her eyes had been growing weak for three days from no apparent cause. She complained of distant objects being blurred and that upon attempting to fixate an object, two were seen. Near vision was not affected. Examination showed decided weakness of the right external rectus muscle. Chelidonium 200 relieved all the symptoms in two days.- T.F.A.
CHIMAPHILA UMBELLATA
Clinical.- A large number of cases of pterygium have been treated by this drug, a few of which have been improved while others have exhibited no good results from its use.
Dr. Bushrod James reports favorable results from the use of this remedy in checking the progress of incipient senile cataract.
CHINA
Motion of eyes painful with sensation of mechanical hindrance Lachrymation, with crawling pains in the eyes and in the inner surface of the lids. Dimness of vision. Neuralgia about the eyes. Yellow color before eyes. Photophobia. Pressure in eyes.
Clinical.- The clinical application of China in ophthalmic disorders has been varied according to the reports in our literature, thought it is a remedy not often called for in ophthalmic therapeutics.
It especially adapted to those diseases of the eye which are of a malarial origin, or in which the pains are of an intermittent type; also, to those affections in which there is impairment of tone from loss of vital fluids.
CHININUM MURIATICUM
Clinical.- This form of quinine in appreciable doses has been used with great success in controlling the severe neuralgic pains occurring in iritis and various other diseases of the eye. In some cases it does more than control pain, as it exercises a very beneficial influence over the progress of the disease. This is especially so if malaria complicates the trouble and the pains are intense and intermittent in type.
Favorable results have been observed from its use in trachoma with or without pannus.
In ulceration of the cornea it is of service if the iris has become involved and there is severe pain, either in the eye or above, periodic in character especially if accompanied by chills. The intensity of the pains and their intermittent character will furnish our chief indications.
CHININUM SULPHURICUM
Disc and retina both very anaemic. Pupils dilated. Neuralgic twinges in the supra and infra-orbital nerves generally periodic in character. Photophobia and lachrymation.
Vision.- Dimness of vision as from a net before the eyes and as from a dark fog. Bright light and sparks before the eyes. Black spots before the eyes.
Clinical.- From the physiological action of quinine upon the eye, it should prove a valuable remedy in affections of the optic nerve and retina. It has not however, been employed to any extent, although cases of optic neuritis are said to have been cured by its use.
After interesting case of intermittent strabismus occurring in a child and continuing for some time (would squint one day and be entirely well on the next) was cured by the use of this remedy in the hands of an empiric.
CHLORALUM
Clinical.- The hydrate of chloral has a marked action upon the eye, in some persons producing injection of the conjunctiva, weakness of the eyes, paleness and congestion of the optic nerve, dimness of vision etc. The clinical verification of these symptoms have not however been made.
Dr. Buffum reports that he has cured with Chloral hyd. 6 the followed symptoms in asthenopia: “Burning smarting itching; lids gummed in the morning lids heavy, droop at night and after use; eyeball feel too large; lids puffed; all symptoms brought on by use; eyes feel better in cool air.
CHRYSOPHANIC ACID
Clinical.- This drug is of special value in obstinate cases of blepharitis ciliaris, especially in scrofulous poorly nourished children with pustules eczematous eruption about the eyes. In phlyctenular keratitis and conjunctivitis when but little pain photophobia or lachrymation with eczematous eruption of the face. May be used locally as an unguentum, eight grains to the ounce of vaseline, at the same time it is given internally.
CICUTA VIROSA
Objective.- Eyes staring. Pupils dilated and insensible. Pupils first contracted then dilated. Eyes sensitive to light. Trembling and twitching of lids.
Vision.- When she attempts to stand she wishes to hold on to something become objects seem now to come nearer and now to recede from her. Objects seem double (and black).
Clinical.- It is in spasmodic affection of the eye and its appendages that this remedy is especially indicated. Thus we find it very valuable in strabismus particularly if periodic and spasmodic in character many cases of which have been cured (this, of course, excludes that form of periodic squint dependent upon an anomaly of refraction). Strabismus occurring after a fall or blow, has been relieved.
CIMICIFUGA
Subjective.- Eyes congested during headache. Pain over the eyes, extending from them to the top of the head. Pain over the left eye, extending along the base of the brain to the occiput. Pain in the centre of the eyeballs, and also sensation as if pain were situated between the eyeballs and orbital plate of the frontal bone, worse in the morning. Dull pain in occiput. Aching pain in both eyeball. Black specks before the eyes.
Sensation of swelling or heaviness of the eyelids. Dilatation of the pupil.
Clinical.- Cimicifuga is not often required if there has been much tissue change, unless it be to control the pains which arise in the course of the disease as for instance in occasional cases of ulceration of the cornea in which the pains are sharp, extending through the eye into the head.
It may be indicated in asthenopia troubles as in a case of accommodative asthenopia in a myope of one-sixth with aching in the eyeballs and shooting pains back into the head, aggravated at the menstrual periods. Cured by Cimicif.- J.H. BUFFUM.
In certain forms of ciliary neuralgia its value has been frequently demonstrated. It is indicated by aching pains in the eyeball or in the temples extending to the eyes so severe, especially at night, that in some instance it seems as if the patient would go crazy; also if the pains are sharp or shooting either from the occiput through to the eyes, from the eyes to the occiput or from the eyes to the to the top of the head; these pains are generally worse on the right side, in the afternoon and at night and are ameliorated on lying down.
Macrotin, a resinoid from Cimicifuga, has often been employed in place of the whole drug especially in ciliary neuralgia. Its action upon the eye is very similar to Cimicifuga and by some, it is usually given in preference to the latter. Angell highly recommends it for hyperaesthesia of the retina.
Professor of Ophthalmology in the College of the New York Ophthalmic Hospital; Surgeon to the New York Ophthalmic Hospital. Visiting Oculist to the Laura Franklin Free Hospital for Children; Ex-President American Homoeopathic Ophthalmological, Otological and Laryngological Society. First Vice-President American Institute of Homoeopathy : President Homoeopathic Medical Society of the State of New York ; Editor Homoeopathic Eye. Ear and Throat Journal : Associate Editor. Department of Ophthalmology, North American Journal of Homoeopathy, etc.