The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-21
HELPING THE SIGHT
By Frederic ]. Ha.kin.
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The American Association Of Opticians will meet in Atlanta today There are many subjects that will oc- cupy the attention of the association not the least important one being the best method of ridding the profession of fakirs. Another matter to be con- sidered is that of securing uniform state legislation to put the opticians profession on a footing with that of the physician. It is probable that no other profession has grown in impor- tance So rapidly in the past ten years as has that of the optician. There are now so many of them that they support three different periodicals devoted sole- ly to optical interests.
 That America Is fast becoming a na- tion of weak eyes is conclusively shown by the experiences of the school authorities of many cities. It was re- gently estimated that there were S6,- 900 children in the schools of New York who were in need of glasses either to relieve eye-strain or defec- tive vision. It was estimated that ii would cost 336.000 properly to fit these children with glasses, of which $3O,0O0 would go to the opticians for consulta- tions and $6,0o0 would represent the cost of the glasses. It was suggested that the parents of those able to pay for glasses for their children should do so, and that the city should supply the needy. But the school authorities held that such a course would make II embarrassing for the fndigent. so the glasses were bought for all for whom they were really necessary. It was held that it was a cheap investment to buy the glasses, since were the pupils fitted with glasses they would be bet ter able to take advantage of the educational opportunities of the city.
 It is said that the dullness of many pupil is not at all due to a lack of brain power, but to eye trouble. It has been found that many of the little sufferers from headaches get them as result of disorder of the eye rather than from stomach or other troubles. It has been found that where these eye disorders are corrected the child rem entirely recover from their head aches. and in many cases duh children develop into the brightest pupils in school.
 It is much of a problem to the iayman whether the eyes of the people are be- coming weaker, or whether 1t Is sim ply a case of their being awakened to the need of glasses. At any rate, 1t is said that there are three people in the United States and Canada today wearing glasses for every one that wore them twenty-five years ago. The opticians say that 1t is a case of the people awakening to the needs of their eyes, and they are writing much in their papers discussing the ways ana means best suited to reaching the pub lie and impressing 1t with the need of glasses.
 The opticians have been progressive to a degree in the perfection of instru- ments for assisting them in studying tba ailments of the eye. One of the newer contrivarices is for photograph ing the interior of the eye Another unusual invention recently used in Ger many is known as the sophalma- -dia- phanoscope It consists of portable cylindrical electric light of about eighty candlepower. with a self-contained tube for water cooling. This lamp is con- nected with a battery. The patient places the tube in the mouth. back as far as possible. and up against the roof The light is then turned on. and