The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-02-06
EYES FOR THE BLIND.
An Old Opticians Chat About Spectacles and
Those Who Use Them.

people to read should contribute some
thing for them to read. Thus reason
ing, Tribune reporter entered the
store of a prominent optician in Broad
way for some information about spec
tacles and eyeglasses.
81 hardly know where to begin an
swering your long list of questions, y
said the optician. ''Spectacles have
to be worn by some children of 5 years
and by persons in all ages. 1t is diff
cult to state when sight is likely tc
fail, for sickness, accidents, certain
professions, excessive or careless read
ing, and the natural decay of strength
ali tend to one result. By careless
reading mean reading in unsteady OF
dim light. Reading while travelling,
especially in fast trains, is tempting
pastime, but it sadly strains the best
of eyes. A man should not, as hab-
it, smoke and read at the same time.
The blur of the smoke imposes unequal
work upon the two eyes. One should
not raise his eyes suddenly toward a
strong or vivid light after intently
pouring over printed matter. The
shock is severe. A number of trades
and duties wear heavily upon the eyes.
Engravers, jewellers, watchmakers,
proof-readers, compositors, and per-
sons who have to handle shining metals
all suffer in some degree from poor
sight. The sewing-machine has proved
great saving for women's eyes. In
former times constant sewing with the
ordinary needle upon white fabrics or
narrow-striped goods of any color
had damaging and sometimes blind
ing effect.
eyes, I've heard that tight lacing
and tight shoes spoken of as bad for
the eyes, but 1 guess the old surgeons
remark shat anything unnatural is
bad for anything about covers this
case.
'It is an unsafe plan for people to
select glasses from the stock OF ped
dlers or other irresponsible vendors. l
am willing that everyone should make
living. but the eye is too delicate
and valuable to be trifed with. Some
of these vendors may know something
of the opticians profession, but as
rule have noticed that their custO-
mers have need to be both purchasers
and scientists. Now, when you have got
your shoes you do not allow the shoe
maker or seller to make your feet fit
the shoes. And assure you tnere can
be as badly fitting glasses as shoes.
"What is positive indication that
sight is weakeningP The failure is
most noticeable in reading; when one
finds himself throwing back the head
and contracting the brow or stretching
out the arm, so as to be surer of de-
ciphering the print or scrip he holds
there, is unmistakable evidence of the
need of optical assistance The de-
feet, however, may not be permanent;
in persons under So years of age, l
have known case where the normal
sight has been restored by the timely
use of correct glasses. 1t would be
good economy of vision If many were
to begin wearing the glasses early,
under the advice of q skillful and ex-
perienced optician. People go to the
dentist quite regularly about their |
teeth and to the physician about trif-
ling complaints, while few seem to
consider the Importance of helping or |
protecting natures great gift of sight.
The waning action, however, in the
most instances so gradual that people
don't trouble themselves until COM
PEELED to.
'You will here get good idea of
ehO CoiC lCQullCQ Ill OuI WOTk W0cu
fitting glasses for steady usa. You
have noticed how many times the TO-
Gus of an opera-glass has to be adjust
ed to suit group of lookers-on at a
performance. Well, the same varia-
ton OF eye-power occurs on a multi
tude. BY the way, protracted use of
an opera-glass is unfavorable to the
eyes. Ladies often object to the wear
ing of glasses for fear of appearing adj
vanced in age; then, again, there are
some OF both sexes who wear them
simply because they are becoming or
give an intellectual cast in their faces.
SO you see, whimsical pride visits our
trade as well as others.
''How far does our scisnce date
backP China, believe, is tie Oldest
known nation having the ingenuity to
prepare glass to aid defective sight. s
They have not advanced hey ond their
first ideas. The artists of Europe and {
America have developed wonderful {
within the la6t half-cen- /
fury. \
1.-The most expensive lenses for {
frames or springs are made from 'peb-
ole,' white, transparent rock crystal
found in Brazil. l have known some
d these hard-pebblo lenses to be pol
shed with diamond dust. As to their
being better than the best white glass, n
nat Is matter of caprice. Some of s.
my wealthiest customers prefer glass, Z
ma 1t is the opinion of some opticians Il
nat the intense polish of the pebble is Is
lot favorable to the wearer Fine )
H'mery ground glass is good enough. W
,ur glasses are largely imported. 5.
IIrlnding glass is great industry in \
rance ana Germany. England also W
urns out some fine work. They can CT
% ground here, but it is rarely neces- a
airy, as the sizes we'll assorted can be h'
ad cheaper from abroad. Lenses for as
lyopia or near-sightedness are ground g.
oncave In shape and for longsighted- es
css convex. al
Most of the newspapers in this CT
'untry are trying to the eyes, owing az
narrow columns and small print. II
ne Tribune is valuable exception, st