“VISION”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10993, 31 August 1921, Page 3

“VISION”

THE EYE AND ITS DISEASES INSTRUCTIVE ADDRESS BY DR G. HARTY. MANY VALUABLE HINTS. At the Red; Cross Chamber© last night/ an interesting and instructive address, entitled "Vision." was given by Dr G. Harty. Mr F. Bethune (president pf the Headmasters' Association) presided over a good attendance. It had been recognised for many years past, stated Dr Harty, that coses of blindness were in large -part due to preventable disease or accident. In New Zealand, considering we had comparatively few dangerous trades, we had a relatively large proportion of blind people; for 566 cases were revealed by the 1916 census, and this worked out at 51.4 per 100,000. Dealing with the anatomy or the eye, Dr Harty explained the several functions of the various nerves, the uses of the eyebrows, the eyelids, and the eyelashes, and the cause of tears. Ophthalmica neonatorum or purulent ophthalmia, which developed a day or two after birth, was, said Dr Harty, one of the preventable diseases that occasioned blindness. less than 20 per cent, of ail eases of blindness were attributed to this disease. Swelling and inflammation of the eyelids, which were often glued together by a dried and very infectious discharge, were symptoms of this*disease*; and if it was not promptly attended to the -eight was likely to become seriously impaired. OPHTHALMIC SURGEONS. { 1 In the Old Country the suggestion had recently been made that ophthalmic surgeons should be attached as consultants to the public maternity hospitals, in order that their services might be available in case of need. Another such disease, not common in New Zealand, but occurring to some i extent among the Maoris, was Egyptian ophthalmia. Children. except in . rare cases; were born with sound eyes. He advised that the eves of infants and young children should newer be exposed to the glare of strong Light. Further, young children should not be encouraged -to use their eyes for close work; their toys should be of a good size, and their picturebooks clearly printed in large types. The eyes should at once be examined whenever a child complained of eyeache, headache*. or watering of the eyes, or that it could not see objects at a distance; and if a baby squints, its eyes should also be seen to at onoe. Many, diseases of the eye occurring in childhood were due to eye-strain or to derangement of the general health. SHORT SIGHT. Faulty vision, more especially shortness of eight, began, in many instances after some illness, particularly if the child undertook too much reading or school work before its health was sufficiently restored. It had been found by a French scientist that out of 100 oases of myopia, or short sight, occurring .before fifteen years of .agp, _ .where, the reoords had been kept, 72 per. c&pt.. had suffered from measles, $7 per cent, had had bncmchitis. 52 per cent, adenoids, 51 per cent, enteritis, T 9 per oeeot. scarlet fever, and so on. The learned professions, involving much study, and all trades, such as watchmaking, entailing does, short-distance work, were predisposing causes of short eightedness. As a preventive of myopia, he recommended the systematic inspection of ©chobl children by medical officers. Dr. Harty dealt also with headaches due to eyestrain, and with presbyopiia. "OLD SIGHT." At the beginning of “old sight," at about forty to forty-five years of age, the eyes, he stated, required some help for near work. For reading, writing, or sewing, the book or work should- be not nearer than twelve inches and not more than twenty inches from the eyee. During a oonyalescence, reading in bod was particularly harmful. It was also unwise to read in bright' sunlight and for lengthy periods in trains or trams. The beet light was diffused daylight, and next ‘to this came electric light or incandescent gaslight. Frosted and highhanging electric light adobes were recommended. In the oaee of dust, or an. eyelash, or any other foreign body getting into the eye, the best thing to do, he advised, was to blow the noee vigorously in order, if possible, to cause the tears to wash the body to the inner corner of the eye. Happily, he said, acquired defects of the eye were not transmitted to the offspring;' but, or both parents were effected, there was a predisposition to myopia. Where either parent hod a cataract, the children. were likely to be affected; and it was found that when cousins married, their ohildreJi showed an increased tendency to a disease known as “night blindness.*' Sometimes they oould not see at all after dark. The marriage of cousins should be discouraged. Colour blindness was found to be usually hereditary. Faulty teeth were, in later life, often associated with disease of the eye. NECESSITY FOR SLEEP. It was impossible to over-estimate the restorative value of sufficient healthy sleep. Over indulgence in tea, tobacco, or alcohol waa harmful to the eyes. The excessive uee of tobacco caused changes -kn the optic nerves and impairment of vision; and in some cases alcohol wa a a contributing cause. If tobacco was given, up for some months, good sight would, as a rule, be recovered. He stressed, in conclusion, the fact that Anr atm were intended for use: and

It was impossible to over-estimate the restorative value of sufficient healthy sleep. Over indulgence in tea, tobacco, or alcohol was harmful to the eyes. The excessive use of tobacco caused changes -kn the optic nerves and impairment of vision; and in some cases alcohol wae a contributing cause. If tobacco was given, up for some months, good sight would, as a rule, be recovered, He stressed, in conclusion, the fact that our eyes were intended for use;, and stated that, given good general health, adequate relaxation, and careful living, they should last a lifetime.* On the motion of the Hon. Dr. Collins, hearty votes of thanks were accorded the lecturer and chairman.