Specks Before the Eyes.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5271, 30 May 1895, Page 1

Specks Before the Eyes.

(The Family Physician.) : Specks before the eyee, or muscte volitanteß, Are of common occurrence in connection with megrim, or sick headache. They often occur, however, without any accompanying headache. Their great characteristic is their incessant movement, fcr by no effort of the will can they be quiet even for a moment. They come into the field of vision, traverse it, and then suddenly disappear. Sometimes they are black, and at others quite bright, like little specks of light. They are seen quite as distinctly when the eyes are closed as when they are open. • '

They may occur at any age, but are most common in those who have passed the meridian of life, and often enough they are associated with short-sighted-ness.

Sometimes they depend on an abnormal perception of particles of dust floating in the fluid which moistenß the eyes, at others they are due to little particles floating about in the interior of the eve itself.

They are usually most troublesome when the eyes have been tried over any fine work, especially if performed by candlelight, and they are intensified by worry and anxiety, or by anything that overtasks the brain or lowers, the health. They do no harm, and as a rule cause no inconvenience.

They may last for years, and then, perhaps from some change in occupation or mode of life, take their departure.

It they are persistent and cause much uneasiness, it would be as well to have the eyes, examined by an ophthalmic surgeon, to see if they are sound. Should no fault be detected, the patient cannot do better than live quietly and steadily, keep in as good health as possible, and ignore them. They should not be looked for.

Plain glasses of neutral tint or dark cobalt blue may render them less apparent.

. When there is antenna, iron will of tea effect a cure. In other cases belladonna may prove useful. •

' Sometimes we meet with specks before the eyes which, instead of being in constant movement, are quite stationary. These are of more serious import, and may be the precursor of cataract or other organic disease of the eye. They are often a9Bociates with impairment of vis ion. In these case^. an ophthalmic Burgeon should be consulted.

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