The citizen., 1911-12-07

socket with an ovcrhanging ridge
which well protects II from external
injury.
The eye communicates with the brain
through the optic nerve. which passes
through n hole in the back Of the
bony eye socket and spreads out on
the inner surface of the cavity OF the
eyeball to form the retina. The crys-
tslline lens and its ligHments divide
the eye into two chambers, the anterior
and the posterior The anterior cham
Der II very small and lies between the
cornea. or outer surface Of the eye,
and the lens. II IL filied with fluid
similar 10 tears. the aqueous humor.
The posterior chamber IL large and
constitutes the cavity OF the eyeball
behind the crystalline lens II II
filled with transparent. jelyllke sub
stance. the vitreous humor The iris
II a circular, muscular curtain. an
extension OF one Of the coats Of the
eyeball. which by dilating or contract
Ing controls the amount OF light, ad-
mitted to the Interior Of the eye. The
shape OF the crystalline lens Is also
controlled by the little ciliary muscles.
Varieties Of Defective Sight.
Astigmatism II caused by an In
equality In the curvature Of the cor
nea. This may occur In any meridian
Of the eye and requires glasses that
will so bend the rays as TO correct the
DETECTION caused by the irregular sur
face.
Nearsightedness.-- This is caused By
an unduly long eyeball from before
backward. The rays of light meet be-
fore they reach the retina. The cornsa
In such cases Is usually abnormally
convex.
Farsightedness. This In caused by a
short eyeball from before backward.
The rays OF light fail to meet before
they reach the retina.
In both of the above conditions a dis
torted image Is formed. and glasses
are required either for near or distant
vision.
Importance Of Proper Glasses.
The degree OF injury that results
from errors OF refraction depends upon
the temperament and constitution Of
the individual ms well as the extent OF
the error. Just as n little tobacco or
alcohol will In some subjects produce
chaos In the nervous system so will a
slight refractive error In person OF
unstable nervous organization cause a
profound disturbance OF the general
health
When q rcfractive error exists the
ciliary muscles endeavor TO correct u
by altering the shape of the lens. Tn.
less the error Il extreme the effort Is
usually successful. and the patient
thinks he has good eyesight. But q
condition OF tension exists In the mech
anism of accommodation which will
be reflected In n long train OF nervous
symptoms. especially headaches. un-
less the subject Is of an especially ro-
bust and resistant type.
III the eye were llfeless optical In
strument any shopkeeper would be
qualified 10 test II and with a little
training could prescribe correct glasses.
As the eye Is a living organ Il should
be tested with due regard to that fact
and by physician who can study the
eye conditions as whole aud not
alone the optical conditions which have
been created by a combination OF the
refractive error and the patients effort
TO correct II. by certain drugs the
accommodation Of the patient IL over
come. and the full degree Of the error
Is revealed. The moral IL not TO triHe
with the window Of your brain" by
letting some man on the street tit you
with glasses. Yon will save money
and health by going TO the ''man who
knows" physician trained to the
work.
When glasses are required they
should be worn-the earlier the bet
ter. Some people keep away from the
Dculist just as they keep away from
The dentist. paying dearly In the end.
Bathing the Eyss.
Ordinarily the eyes are kept clean by
he secretion OF the lachrymal glands.
which is a weak saline fluid when
he eyes are irritated by dust or slight
y infiamed solution % boracic acid.
en grains to the ounce Of distilled wa
er. is useful preparation. Pure wa
er Is Irritating and should not be
ubbed or dashed into the eyes.
There are no mysterious or magic
'ye waters or cures for cataract. The 4
after trouble Is for the surgeon. AIN.
Iuch nostrums either contain simple y
'stringents. 10 which case they are
harmless, but unduly expensive. or
hey contain powerful drugs. which
mask disease. but do not cure II. and
re dangerous when self administered.
n using eye lotions the eye dropper
3 preferable TO the eye cup. The lat
er washes the margin OF the lids and
nay carry infectious matter to the del
cate membrane covering the eyeball
In acute Inflammation Ice cold COM
,resses made OF gauze and wrung out