The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-03

Washington, D. c., Aug. 1.-Every-
one realizes the importance Of good
eyesight, and the need for correcting
faulty vision by the use of spectacles;
but the effect of eye-strain upon the
general health, which only became
known to the medical profession less
than fifty years ago. Is not 80 gener-
ally understood.
And eye-strain is not always due to
faulty vision, or to excessive use of
the eyes. Bad light. badly colored
walls. use of the eyes on moving
trains and street cars, outdoor glares,
are some of the causes which may pro-
duce severe eye-strain, resulting in
damage to the general health. 1t is,
therefor. very important that everyone
should know how to use his eyes, and
that If there is the slightest reason to
| suspect that they are suffering, he
should consult an oculist.
Eye-strain often produces burning,
smarting or aching sensations or in
! flamation of the eyes themselves. 1t
causes the great majority Of head
| aches 1t also produces irritability,
| dizziness, nervous exhaustion, twitch-
| ings of the face, certain types of dys-
pepsia and indigestion, nausea, vomit-
neck, between the shoulder blades,
| and other symptoms, which are not
| obviously connected with the eyes. In
| the presence of any of these synp
toms, the eyes should be examined as
| a possible cause.
The eye is essentially lens, and
faulty vision is usually due either to
an over-development or to an under
development of it, so that it does not
focus the rays properly. If the eye is
| over-developed, it is too long from
back to front, and is a near-sighted
eye. If it is not long enough. 1t is a
| far-sighted eye. Practically everyone
is born with far-sighted eyes. AS the
child grows, the eye develops: but in
| many cases it either develops too
much or not enough, resulting in
| either near-sightedness or far-sighted-
ness. Another structural trouble of
| the eyes, which is very common, is
| astigmatism. This means that the
cornea. or transparent body which fits
/ over the eye as a crystal fits q watch,
is not the right shape, SO that the
rays Of light are not focused properly.
All of these troubles may be cor
rected by wearing the proper spec
| tacles. and everyone who suffers from
eye strain should have his eyes ex-
amined ard obtain the proper spec
tacles.
But even II the eyes are normal, or
have been made practically normal by
the use of proper glasses, they may
| readily be used in such a way as to
produce eye strain. insufficient light
is the cause of eye strain. and one
should never read in dim light. The
direction of tho light is also important.
1t should come from behind and from
the left side, as this will tend to give it
an even diffusion, and prevent the
shadow from falling on the work. The
desk or work bench should be of a
convenient height, so that one will not
have to bend over his work thus cast
| ing a shadow upon it.
Never read by any sort Of moving
light, whether this is caused by the
Pickering of a naked flame, or by the
1oltlng of street car or railroad train.
| Reading on cars and trains causes
the muscles of the eyes to make a con-
slant effort at adjustment, and is a
very common and dangerous way OF
abusing the eyes.
Glare causes much damage to the
eyes, and often when they are not be-
ing used for work. Familiar examples
are the glare from water upon which
the sun shines, from wet road. OF
from any white surface. such as
ground covered with snow. Glare
may produce only a temporary pain
but If sufficiently intense and pro-
longed, may do very serious harm.
Part Of the harm done by the glare
is due to what are called the actinic
rays of the sun, and which do not
form a part of the visible light. These
actinic rays are what cause the snow
blindness which afflicts travellers
across the frozen wastes of the North
Daylight is generally the best ligh
which can be used, but direct sunlight
should never be used for any difficult
eye work, and windows which receive
the direct sunlight should be equipped
with buff or green Holland shades
For the same reason, while ceiling.
may be white, the walls should b.
buff or light olive green. In work
rooms or factories, where the light /.
dim, white walls may be desirable
Keep these facts in mind when pape.
; ing or kalsomining your home or plac.
. of work Green and deep buff are tn,
best colors for rooms with much win
dow space, and which get a great dea
of sunlight, while darker room
, should be done in light buff. Flat sky
, lights are never desirable as the eff
feet is the same as working under tn
open sky.
: Modern man is forced to work ,
great deal by artificial light. Man.
persons ascribe all of their eye trcubl
to this fact. But all of the sources o
: light IN common use are agreeable t
! the eyes, if properly used. Unpro
L tected lights are always dangerous
they must be properly shaded.
1 Above all, 1t is foolish to say: "
S have strong eyes-they can stand any
2 thing" The very best of eyes can b
ruined or greatly injured by abuse
e Man is forced to use his Eyes, unde
modern conditions. for many tediou
( and difficult tasks, and this can b
= done successfully only if they ar
t treated with the utmost care. Hav
, your eyes tested SO that you may b
/ sure they are normal, and If the
], are not. use the proper glasses. New
S er work in any kind of faulty illumi
t nation Avoid glare. And see tina
T your desk or work bench is of suita bl
r height and properly placed.