HOW TO RELIEVE OR PREVENT WEAK SIGHT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 163, 19 May 1879, Page 2

HOW TO RELIEVE OR PREVENT WEAK SIGHT.

Persons having a tendency to weakness ' of sight, or those experiencing unusual fatigue of the eyes in reading, or similar occupation requiring close vision, should, carefully observe tho following rules 1. Cease to use. the eyes fo l ' the time being, and look away from the work, when the sight becomes in the least painful, blurred, or indistinct. After perfetct rest for a moment, or longer, work may be resumed, to bo discontinued as before when the eyes feel again fatigued. 2. See that the light is sufficient, and that it falls properly upon your work. Never sit facing it. It is best that the light should fall upon the work from above and behind. Failing this, it may fall from the side. Never use the eyes at twilight. Any artificial light for the evening is good if is brilliant enough and steady. A flickering gas-light is injurious. The " agrand" gasburner with a chimney does not flicker, is brilliant, and may therefore bo recommended. A study-lamp, or any lamp with a chimney, burning oil or kerosene, if it affords a sufficiently brilliant light, may also be agreeable for the eyes. When artificial light is at all painful, it is safer to read or write only during the day. 3. Never read in railway trains or omnibusses, It requires too great an exertion of the accomodative power to keep tho eyes accurately focussed and fixed on the letters. Business men are in tho habit of reading the evening papers on their way out of the city, and the morning papers | on their way in. This dangerous practice is rather a frequent cause of weakness of si"ht. There are those who can follow it with impunity year , after year, but there are more who cannot. 4. Never read when lying down ; it is too fatiguing for the accomodative power, Many a tedious case of weak sight iias been traced to the pernicious habit of reading in bed after retiring at night. 5. Do not read much during convalescence from illness. Before the muscular system generally has quite recovered its healthy tone, we ought not to expect the muscles of accomodation . to bear the continuous use to which they i are subjected in reading or writing. We ■ cannot be sure that the delicate muscles

of the eye are in condition to bo used until the muscles of the leg and the arm have regained their strength and firmness. G. The general health should bo maintained by a good diet, sufficient sleep, air, exercise, amusement, and a proper restriction of the hours of hard work. One ought not to expect strong eyes in a body weakened by bad habits or an injudicious amount of labor. Bright gaslights in crowded rooms, and the impurity of tlio air in such places, are especially to be avoided. Medical advice should be sought in regard to any nervous debility, disorder of the organs of indigestion, or any functional disturbances of a general nature, whether they appear to have a direct connection with the weakness of sight or not. 7. Always take plenty of sleep. Sleep is a sovereign balm for those who suffer from weak sight. Retire early and avoid the painful evening lights, Ten hours' sleep for delicate eyes is better than eight.