Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-12-20
The BABYS EYES.
"A Point OFTEN Overlooked In Caring for
the Helpless Little Mites.

inc Little Mites.
IL is very common thing TO see an
| infant gaze unblinkinglv at bright
| light without any attempt being made
on the part of the parent or nurse TO
/ prevent il. A still more harmful prac-
tce Is to allow a baby to take its daily
ride with its little face upturncd To the
bright open skies without the carriage
sunshade To protect its eyes. If there
is no bright sunlight the nurse takes il
for granted that the shade is unneces-
sary, forgetting that gazing up into
the sky is really painful after the eyes
become tired of the bright light
1t seems 10 be the general supposition
that infants eyes have remarkable
powers OF endurance in this respect and
that no harm will result from the ex-
posture. This is great mistake, for an
infants eyes are in reality more sus-
ceptible to injury than an adults A
child is totally unable to protect itself
during The first weeks of life by moving
ITS head or shading its eyes, therefore
its nurse or attendant should protect it
from exposure 10 strong sunlight. gas
light or strong artificial light of any
kind.
The eyelids of an infant are thin and
almost transparent, and the eyelashes
but little developed, SO that even when
the baby is asleep a strong light should
not be allowed TO fall on its closed eyes.
1t is not wise TO fail into the opposite
extreme. however, and keep the child
in dark room. or shrond its face when
out of doors with heavy wells. since
these practices render the eyes uu-
naturally sensitive. but the endeavor
should be made to allow only diffused
light to reach the sensitive little orbs.
When children have passed the age
OF infancy and begin TO use their eyes
parents should make it a
point TO study and ascertain the condi-
ton of their vision. Says well known
authority: "A slight defect in the !
shape of the eye, constituting short
or far-sightedness, may |
disappear, SO as TO cause the |
individual no trouble if the eyes are |
properly managed, while on the other
hand it may be aggravated into a seri-
Gus impairment of vision if the child is
Eyes"
The power of sight in later years is
much influenced 10y the time of life at
which children are required 20 under
AXE close and continuous efforts with
he eyes. For most children this con-
inued effort ~gins when they COM
hence school, and il is often aggravated
~ poorly lighted apartments. 4 child
With weak or sensitive eyes should not
otes for any great length of time
While the child is young II the prac-
ice Is supposed 20 bee absolutely neces-
airy. divide the tNnc intOthrce. four. or
ven five periods, So that the eyes may
est as constant gazing at the small
lack dots will weaken the strongest
yes.
Where squirting is noticeable in
hildren one may be sure there is de-
'ctive formation of the eyes. In the
laJority of cases this results in too /
reat hatness of the eye. This should
E attended TO as soon as il is noticed. |
) the longer it continues the worse are
lie results. The remedy for squirting
its earlier stages lies in the use of n
asses. but if the squirting has been a
lowed TO go on for several years :,
light operation will be needed, and
ere should be NO hesitation in sub
lifting TO IL A good oculist should be p
nsulted If there is the least sign of L
lperfect ION while the child is II
Jung; thu lay save trouble in later
,ars boston Herald. \