It has seemed to hasten the absorption of the exudation into the cornea interstitial keratitis, especially after the inflammatory symptoms have, in a measure, subsided. Benefit has also been derived from its use in opacities of the cornea resulting from various forms of keratitis. Dr. C. M. Thomas writes me: “I have lately treated three cases of transverse calcareous band of the cornea, in two of which a complete cleaning of the cornea followed a six to twelve weeks’ use of Calcarea carb., preceded by a number of doses of Sulph. The third and least marked of the three resisted all treatment.
The following symptoms found in asthenopia have been verified; Pain in the eyes after using them, worse in damp weather and from warmth. Burning and cutting pains in the lids, especially on reading, or sticking pains in the eyes, with dull hearing. Dim vision after fine work, like a cloud before the eyes, objects run together, with desire to close the eyes. Red and green halo around the light.
The selection of Calcarea will, in the majority of cases, depend mainly upon the general condition (cachexia) of the patient, since the eye symptoms are very often too general to individualize the remedy. The reverse may be said of Euphrasia and other remedies exhibiting no general dyscrasia.
CALCAREA HYPOPHOS.
Clinical-The hypophosphite of lime has proved to be a remedy of the first importance in severe cases of abscess or ulceration of the cornea. It is especially adapted to those cases in which the patient is in a very low state of general health and does not seem to have vitality sufficient to resist the ulcerative process. We meet with this condition not infrequently in sloughing ulcers of the cornea, and also in that dangerous form of ulceration, the crescentic, in which, although it may not primarily be dependent upon a debilitated state of the general system, the health usually becomes impaired from the severity of the ulcerative process and blennorrhoea of the conjunctiva, which commonly accompanies this condition. In some of these cases pus will be found in the anterior chamber (hypopyon) or the iris will become inflamed and so increase the intensity of the symptoms.
CALCAREA IODATA.
Clinical-The provings of this preparation of calcium give no clue to its sphere of action in disease of the eye. But it is found by clinical observation to be an important remedy in scrofulous inflammations of the eyes and lids, as in chronic cases of blepharitis complicated with enlargement of the tonsils.
It is, however, of special value in pustules and ulcers, particularly of the cornea, marked by great photophobia, acrid lachrymation, sticking pains and spasm of the lids; upon forcing open the lids a stream of tears flows down the cheek; also in erysipelatous swelling of the lids, chiefly of the upper, which is shining and red (compare Rhus). The inflammation of the eye is always worse from the least cold, to which these cases are very susceptible. It is chiefly indicated in pale, fat subjects who sweat much about the head, with enlargement of the tonsils and cervical glands.
In several cases benefit seem s to have been obtained from the use of iodide of calcium in checking the progress of both conical cornea and staphyloma; in one marked case of progressive staphyloma of the cornea, the sequela of trachoma and pannus, the bulging of the cornea was checked and the infiltration into its parenchyma absorbed under the use of Calcarea iod.
CALCAREA PHOSPHORICA.
Eyes red; capillary vessels visible in steaks from corners to cornea. Sensation of something in the eye; always felt if it is mentioned. Cannot read; light hurts, particularly candle- light. Glittering circles of light before the eyes.
Clinical-Valuable results have been obtained from the use of Calcarea phos in parenchymatous keratitis, especially if occurring in patients of a scrofulous diathesis; in one case, in which the haziness of the left cornea had been present two weeks and had extended from above downward, the vision was almost wholly lost. On account of enlargement of the tonsils, Dr. C. C. Boyle prescribed Calcarea phos.,3 under which rapid improvement took place and six weeks later only a slight macula remained; vision 20/50. The photophobia has been well marked in all cases of corneal inflammation successfully treated with Calcarea phos.
In checking the progress of cataract, it has appeared to be of decided service. The range of usefulness of this drug in ophthalmic disorders is, no doubt, much more extended than here given, but further experience is necessary to demonstrate its proper sphere of action.
CALCAREA PICRATA.
Dr. Sterling Trans. Amer. Inst. of Homoeo. for 1885 reports valuable results from the use of this drug in styes and phlyctenules of both the cornea and conjunctiva. He has aborted styes within twenty-four hours and in phlyctenular troubles has subdued them within forty-eight hours, especially where there has not been pronounced vascularity.
CALCAREA SULPHURICA.
Has proven of value in some cases of phlyctenular and pustular keratitis, with a thick yellow discharge and accompanied by enlarged cervical glands.
CALENDULA.
Clinical-The most marked success which has attended the use of Calendula has been observed in injuries of the eye and its appendages, especially cut wounds.
After all operations upon the eye or lids, this drug is useful in preventing any undue amount of inflammation and in hastening recovery. Its action is not, however, limited to the prevention of inflammation, as it has been of service in various forms of traumatic inflammation of the eye.
Benefit has been derived from this drug in blennorrhoea of the lachrymal sac.
Only occasionally has this drug been used internally, its most marked results having been obtained from its local application. A solution of the tincture-from ten drops to two drachms to the ounce of water-may be employed, but a decoction, made from the leaves, is the best preparation which can be used upon the eye.
CANNABIS SATIVA.
(Under this drug the symptoms of Cannabis indica will be included, but designated by, as the clinical application of the two remedies is apparently the same.)
Objective-Injection of the vessels of the conjunctiva. The vessels of the conjunctiva of both eyes are injected in a triangular patch extending from the internal canthus to the cornea; worse at night. The cornea becomes obscured. Lachrymation.
Subjective-Heat in the eyes. Sensation of spasmodic drawing in the eye; as if sand were in the eyes. Pressure from behind the eye forward.
Vision-While reading the letters run together. Twinkling, trembling and glimmering before the eyes. Sensitiveness of the eye to light.
Clinical-Cannabis deserves to be employed more extensively in ophthalmic troubles than it has hitherto been, especially in affections of the cornea and conjunctiva. I would suggest its use in pterygium, though have not, at present writing, given it a trial.
The following case will illustrate its action in pustular keratitis: Colored man, aet.28, duration of disease two days. There was a large pustule on the inner margin of the left cornea, with excessive injection of the conjunctival vessels, commencing in a broad base at the internal canthus and terminating in the pustule which forms the apex of a triangle, similar to a pterygium. He was entirely cured in three days under Cannabis ind-A. WANSTALL.
Both varieties of Cannabis have been used with benefit in vascular conditions of the cornea. Some cases of pannus have obtained from its use in parenchymatous keratitis, as a case recently under treatment will illustrate: A boy, aet.7, was brought to me on December 24th for treatment of an interstitial inflammation of the right cornea of two weeks’ duration. The history of hereditary syphilis was fairly clear. Under Aurum. mur.3. the eye was nearly well on january 20th, when the left eye became inflamed and continued to grow worse until March 2nd, notwithstanding the use of Aurum, Conium, Arsen, etc., internally, and the instillation of Atropine in the eye. On March 2nd the cornea was densely opaque and vascular, so that the iris could not be seen through it. The epithelial layer was a little rough, but there was no superficial ulceration. There was profuse lachrymation and intense photo-phobia; the child not being able to open his eyes in any light. He complained to some pain. Cannabis sativa3 had been given for four days with no relief; the tincture, ten drops in two-thirds of a glass of water, one teaspoonful every hour was prescribed. Immediate improvement followed its use and on March 8th the child could open the eye well, had no pain and the vascular infiltration into the cornea had diminished. The cornea continued to clear for a month or more, when, only a very moderate amount of haziness remaining, other remedies were given for other symptoms.
CANTHARIS
Inflammation of the eyes. Lachrymation. Burning in the eyes and glowing heat as from coals. Biting sensation as if salt were in them. Margins of lids pain on opening them.
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.