Evening journal., 1898-10-21
IOssI OF vIsUAT, ACUrENEss

1t is interesting to compare the Wis
ual acuteness of the normal eye before
and after the effect of some purely ply
slcal cause, that may be within the
realm of either nature or civilization.
Taking a few instances of each for IL
lustration, / will cite from nature first.
1t is well known that severe illness
greatly impairs the acuteness OF vision
Of an otherwise strong eye. Almost the
frst thing a convalescent will do is TO
call for book or newspaper to while
away the tedium of the sick room. I'M
less warmed not TO try his
eyes too much, he is apt
through forgetfulness to oyertask his
accomodative powers or injure the
already weakened ciliary muscle. When
the rest of his body RECEIVERS its nor
NAL strength the eye continues weak.
After straining the eyes more, in the
vain hope that his sight will improve.
the person. If he is wise, will consut
experienced hep; II otherwise, he will
pick up the first pair OF spectacles
available, regardless of whether they
should be too strong or too weak for
his eyes. Should he finally go to an
optician, the latter will often find it
difficult to fit glasses satisfactorily.
=
Other natural causes that affect eyes
are wind, dust, light and heat when
excessive. Eyes otherwise good enough
become weak under such conditions.
The weakness may be due to an error
Of refraction, and under most eondi-
tions the accommodative power OF the
eye is strong enough to overcome The
error. But under such atmospheric or
climatic conditions as have mentioned
the accommodation is lessened, and the
eye cannot find relief, except by the
use of glasses. They should generally
be convex.
Having mentioned those losses OF
visual acuteness due to natural causes
next IN order are causes produced by
civilization. AT the outset will say
that if the patient were to change his
occupation and take plenty of fresh
air and exercise, the opticians services
might never be needed, but these "ifs'
are in the way and are not to hS goi
rid OF by the average individual.
Take boy from the country, bring
him to town and place him at clerica
work, writing perhaps all day and intC
the night Put him behind a counter
and let him stand all day with one houl
free out of twelve or more, or let hin
sit at work bench, following a trad'
that keeps his eyes fixed steadily hou
after hour twelve to eighteen inches II
front OF him. Take this same youtl
with hitherto good eyes and bid him
use them day in and day out, Eeadind
for a profession, or let him occupy hi
time in a dimly lighted room, or BEN
over desk beneath artificial light al
the time. I might 60 on, giving In
stance after instance, without particu
larizing any calling as more harmtu
Z than others to the eyes.
Is it a wonder that the children q
this generation are wearing glasse
along with their grand sires? Old ag
/ is no longer the reason for wearin
glasses. In nine cases out of ten tn
young man needs a convex glass to as
sist his overtaxed eyes in fulfilling
, their duties.
In addition to these causes of weak
ened vision it is hardly necessary
mention the common evils OF tobacc
$ and alcoholic stimuiants. Again, il tn
: sarong constitution Of a boy cannC
save his eyes from their thousand an
one uses, how can frail women escape
: The ever increasing army OF wome
{ workers in shops and offices, and tn
new avenues OF employment opening
I them, swell the number OF spectacl
g wearers. 1t has been my purpose {
point out that it is not the serious an
very plain errors of refractlon ths
cause the most OF an opticians patron
> age, and ne must often attribute tn
I loss of visual acuteness to other causes
Jewellers Weekly.