It is foolhardy not
to have regular examinations of the eyes-once a year after age 50, less often
at younger ages. More and more now, examinations till glaucoma are being
included in preventive medicine checkups. Cataracts can be removed surgically
at any time and at practically any age. There is no need to wait for a cataract
to become complete, or "ripe," as was once believed. Depending on the
condition of the lens, the retina, and other factors, an occasional cataract
will be treated without surgery. Eye Infections Today, even such severe chronic
eye infections as trachoma can be cured with antibiotics and other medicines.
Don't decide for yourself that an eye infection is nothing to worry about. Of
course, there are minor eye infections. Most common is conjunctivitis, or
pinkeye, which causes the eyes to redden and the lids to swell and usually
stick together in the morning. Many home remedies are used. We think the best
approach is:
(1) Wash the eye with warm water using a disposable tissue
or cloth (otherwise the infection may be spread to the other eye or another
person).
(2) Apply yellow oxide of mercury ophthalmic ointment
generously on the lids, and close the eye. Use the ointment morning and night.
(3) Apply hot compresses, moistened with clean water, for
five minutes} three or four times daily
If the eye does not improve quickly, see your physician. But
if you may, on occasion, treat a mild case of pinkeye, it is unwise to diagnose
and self-treat any other form of eye infection.
Your eyes are simply too
precious to be toyed with. If you can't reach a doctor and you find your eyes
are severely inflamed or have pus in them, use this emergency measure: Put a
generous amount of ophthalmic ointment containing penicillin or some other
antibiotic on the inner lids, and then close the eyes so the ointment gets at
the eyeballs. Repeat every three hours until you can get medical help. If your
physician is not available, go to his hospital's emergency room.
It is safe for
you to treat an occasional style-a pimple-like formation in the tiny glands of
the eyelid. Apply hot compresses every two hours for 15 minutes at a time. If
the stye does not open and drain and heal in a few days, be sure to see your
doctor. See him, too, if you have styes repeatedly.
Cleaning the Eyes When the
eyelids become irritated by wind or dust, you can relieve them by washing them
with a warm salt solution, a level teaspoonful of alt to a pint of water. Be
sure the utensils you use have been thoroughly leaned and scalded. You may use
an eyedropper or eyecup, as you prefer.
