The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1888-04-09
DEFECT OF VISION.
FACTS FOR THE CONSIDERATION
OF PARENTS AND GUARDIANS.

A Most Common and Disagreeab1e De-
fOrmity-Remedy for Gross Eye
Cause of Awkwardness in Children
Use of SpectacIes-GOOd Rules.
By far the most varied and frequent dis
orders of the eyes, those giving rise to the
gravest complaints, are those depending
upon defect of vision a few of these dis
orders may, with advantage, be brought to
the attention of each parent and guardian:
"CrOsS eye" is a most common and dis
agreeable deformity, and is the result of de-
fective vision. 1t is usually found i'll but one
eye, and is not noticed till the child reaches
an age at which intelligent observation
begins, say over , 1-2 years Every cOnceiv-
able device has been t led for its correction,
binding up the straight eye, binding up the
squirting eye, wearing of patches and
shades compelling vision through small
hole; i'll black disks, etc, but none are Sue
ceSStul, for none embrace the correction Of
the cause. ''Cross eye" depends upon defec-
tive vision and the existence of greater de-
feet IL one eye than in the other When
long neglected, the squirting eye loses sharp
ness of vision, even to the point of blindness,
after which, even though Strengthened sight
cannot be restored. The remedy for cross
eye lies in the correction of the vision by
means of glasses and where this can be per-
fectly done and the child is not too DID, the
eyes become straight. If the s1uint is too
confirmed the glasses must be assisted by OPP
Grafton A cross eyed child over 10 years of
age is a constant reproach to it's parents.
What mother can excuse herself for allowing
her child to become blind in an eye? The de-
formity itself is too hideous to be neglected.
What mother is prepared to accept the just
censure her neglect or penuriOusneSs will re
ceive from her cross eyed child i'll later years!
The fact that it is only ''cross eye" does
not restore vision when the child becomes an
sdult
AWKWARD CHILDREN.
Eye strain and imperfect vision are not al
ways accompanied by manifest conditions,
Such as spoken of above. The eye gives no
external sign of many Of its worst troubles.
For instance: A boy is noticed constantly
blinking his eyelids. demonstrate with him
and he says he cannot help it," but that it is
worse upon use of the eyes; yet his eyes show
no evidence of weakness. After a time his
whole face works in unison with the eyelids,
and later on his shoulders and even his arms
are in motion. Punishment avails nothing
In breaking the SO called ''habit;" it grows
verse. Examination of he, eyes reveals de-
feet; correct it by proper glasses; and behold,
in a few days he has forgotten to blink his
eyes and shrug his shoulders. Another child
buries the side of his head into his book and
lOo,;S at you with head and neck awry lie
grows actually lopsided. Why? Because he
is finding the most comfortable way of see
ing StraiGhten his vision, allow him ID see
in al directions equally, and, if not already
too long neglected, he will carry himself erect
and look squarely at everything.
Here approaches a girl with handsome,
soft eyes; her gait il awkward and her step
hoSi tat mr. OlIar RI
pity by the thought Of what clumsy, I'M
calmly woman she will become. Yes! pity
her! The girl cannot sec beyond the length
OF her own arn-how then can she know
where she is walking, upon what? Can
you wonder she is tiInid, nervous, pale and
excitablei Adopt the means Of letting her
see; correct her near Sightedness and watch
the changed A young woman may be con-
spicuous for apparent ignorance. Her parents
say she always had sore eyes when studying
or going to school, so they put her to work.
The sore eyes were not the result of study,
but of bad vision, and her parents must re-
ceivc the blame for not having had her eyes
put i'll condition for use. And now, though
the vision may be good, it may be too late
for her to gain all that was lost to her in the
opportunities of childhood.
USE OF SPECTACLES
Let every mother lay aside her prejudice
against spectacles and remember that if her
cl;ild's welfare, comfort and happiness can
lie advanced by wearing them it is her inn
pcrative duty to provide them. No child,
however, should be allowed to select the
glasses to correct it's own defect, for Oft
times those furnishing temporary relief will
produce vast amount of harm to the eye.
The corrections, particularly with children,
must be left to the competent special physi-
clan.
How frequent are the following express
sions: 81 get sleepy if l read" Il cannot
thread a needle at night" Il never read-it
gives me headache" Sewing by hand
makes my temples pain" etc. Not one of
these expressions contains an allusion to the
eyes, yet each one of them indicates that
there is some trouble with one or both eyes
which needs attention Constant headache.
boring pain in the TOP, back or side of the
head, with a regular sick headache once or
twice week, are not infrequent symptoms;
Every doctor in the ncighbOrhood eXhauSts
himself upon the case In sheer despair Il
specialist is consulted. Inquiry elicits the
fact that there is never pain in the eyes, and
YES, 1 will wear glasses, but know it will do
no good" But what is the satisfaction to
the former sufferer when weeks after weeks
pass by and no sick headaches2 Friends may
cali it affectation, but glasses mean comfort
and they are worn.
Good rules to observe are: Use the eyes
freely; do not abuse them; always have
plenty of light, but, when possible, avoid a
glare; if possible have the light falling over
tho shoulder or from behind; read but little
or not at all in the lying position; avoid
reading by twilight. Inability to use the
eyes means something; find out what it is
Allow no inflammation or pain in the eyes to
be neglected, and bear in mind that many
an obscure pain or ache may be due to over
taxed eyes or defective viSion.-LadieS'
Home Journal
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A Doctors Advice.