VISION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 288, 31 August 1921, Page 7

VISION

LECTURE BY DR. HARTY BLINDNESS AND EYE DISEASES Dr. G. Harty delivered a lecture last night to the members of tho New Zealand Branch of the British Red Cross Society, taking for his subject “Vision. Air. E. Bethune, the chairman of the Headmasters’ Association, presided, and briefly introduced tho lecturer. Dr. , Harty Baid that for many years it had been recognised that a large proportion of tho existing cases of blindness was due to diseases or accidents which could have been avoided. There wns, relatively, a, large proportion of blind in New Zealand, for according to the census of 1916 there, were 566 cases, which worked out at 51.4 per 100,000. Among the. disetfSes which led to blindness and wtoich were .preventable, was one which occurred within a dty or two of birth—ophthalmia neonatorum or turulont ophthalmia. It wns « ll “ate d that 20 per cent, of all cases oi blindness was due to this disease Jhe disease showed itself by much swelling and inflammation of tho lids, which were frequently stuck jtogother by a dried dis charge. If not promptly attended to the sight was apt to become seriously impaired. It had lately been suggested in England that ophthalmic surgeons should be made consultants to public maternity hospitals, so that'their services could bo available when required. There another disease known as Egyptian ophthal mia. It was uncommon in Now Z « l ' alld ’ but occurred to some extent among ‘SvHli rare exceptions children were born with sound eyes. The eyes of H' falds and young children should never be rased to the glare of strong light. Young children should not be encouraged to use their .eves for rear work, leys and playthings should bo of'fair size and picture books well printed. If a child complained of eyeache, headache, of the eyes, or that it could not see at a distance, tho eyes should be When a baby squinted the ejes shoild bo submitted to examination. In child hood many diseases of the eye v ere associated with eye strain or with some disarrangement of the general health. It had been found that many cases of faulty vision— especially short sight or myopia -commenced after some disease, particularly if much reading or school work was undertaken before the child had sufficiently regained its normal tone. Ihe systematic inspection of echool children bv medical officers was a good movement. ‘Dr Harty referred briefly to ocular headaches and to presbyopia. At about 40 to 45 years of age, people required some help for near work. This was ths beginning of old sight. In reading, writing, or sewing, the work should not lie nearer to the eye than 12 inches, or more than 20 inches away. Reading in bed was especially harmful during convalescence from an ■,illness, ami it was unwise to road in bright sunlight or for lengthy periods. Diffused daylight w-as the best light, but if this wns unobtainable electric or incandescent gaslight would bo quite good. Ele.ctrio light globes were better frosted, and should be high in tho room. Dealing with common- diseases or accidents to tho eyes. Dr. Harty said that if a foreign body got in the eye—grit or an eyelash—it was best to blow the nose vigorously, in the hope that the tears would waslFthe body to tho inner corner of the eye) As a rule acquired defects were not transmitted. There was a predisposition to myopin where one or both parents were affected. If either parent had a cataract, the offspring wais likely to be affected. Where cousins married there was an increased tendency for the children to have a form of disease known as /'night blindness." Those affected saw badly in fading light or moonlight. : Colour blindness was _ usually hereditary. In middle or late life faulty teeth were frequently associated with eye disease. The restorative value of sufficient healthy sleep could not be overestimated. Over indulgence in. tea, alcohol, and tobacco Was harmful. Excessive use of tobacco caused changes in tho optic nerve which led to impairment of vision. The Action of tobacco was aided by alcohed ii/somb cases, but as a Irule it, could bo recovered from provided, tobrlcco was given up for some months’,trfteast. In conclusion, Dr. Harty said it must not be forgotten that the eyes were intended for use, and given good general -health, sufficient relaxation, and careful living, they should last a lifetime.