Eyestrain (commonly called asthenopia) / by Ernest Clarke.

  • Ernest Clarke
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Eyestrain (commonly called asthenopia) / by Ernest Clarke. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    increased again. No increase of tinne should ever be allowed while any symptoms of eyestrain remain. When congenital subnormal accommodative power exists, weak convex glasses will remove the asthenopia if present. In reflex asthenopia we should, if possible, remove the cause. Until this is effected we may temporarily give weak convex glasses for near work. Constitutional Treatment.—I cannot but think that there is a great tendency for Ophthalmologists to be too special, to treat the eyes and their appendages as if they were isolated organs, and to ignore the immense in- fluence that the constitutional condition has upon them. One ought to make it a practice never to treat the simplest eye affection without inspecting the tongue, and enquiring as to the state of the bowels. Many a patient may be cured of asthenopia by simply correcting some trouble of the stomach, liver, or bowels. Outdoor exercise and fresh air are absolutely essential for the maintenance of the physical well-being of the individual, and we should never lose an opportunity of impressing this fact upon those that have to work in a vitiated atmosphere. Illustrative Cases. — Eyestrain with normal sight.— Abuse :— H. D., a printer, aged 23, complains of pain and inflammation in the eyes. His work is chiefly at night, and consequently, by artificial light, and he says that when he has finished work, the eyes are much worse. He has slight conjunctivitis, and marked chronic blepharitis. He sees f with each eye, and has no hyperopia ; his near point is 13 cms. from the eyes, showing an accommodative power of 7.5 D. He con- verges easily to 10 cms., and Maddox rod test shows no latent diver- gence. This is a case of simple ciliary strain ; working constantly by artificial light and at fine work, he has abused his ciliary muscles. He was advised to abstain from all near work when off duty, and to take as much outdoor exercise as possible.
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