5o8 D IS RASES 01- THE EYE 



DISEASES OF THE EYE. 



(;i:\i-:i<.\i. ki:m.\kks. 



\Vk do not projiose to consider the subject in detail, but only to 

 mention those disorders of tlie eye that are more or less confined to 

 the Tropics or are met with in an ajj^ij^ravated form or with greater 

 frequencv than elsewhere. For example, quinine amblyopia and the 

 advanced pathological conditions of the eye in leprosy are more or 

 less confined to the Tropics, and conjunctivitis is more common than 

 in an\ other jiari of the wcirlcl. due to the filthy dwellings and habits, 

 the prevalence of dust and fly carriers, and the higher temperature 

 favourable for bacterial development. 



HLIXDXESS. 



Blindness is very ct)mmon in the Tropics. 



In India (1901) there were twelve blind men and twelve blind women 

 in every !o,fxx) adults of each sex, while for the same period and 

 number there were in I*!ngland eight blind men and seven blind 

 women. 



The causes are (tflen due to the neglect of slight injuries followed 

 by septic infection. 



Dr. \'ell has classified the causes of blindness thus: — 



(1) Congenital, e.g., syphilitic affections of the optic nerve, retina 

 .111(1 choroid, malformations of the eveball. 



(2) Local Eye Diseases, e.g., ophthalmia neonatorum, purulent 

 ophthalmia in adults, catarrhal and granular ophthalmia, 

 ulccrati(m of the cornea, severe paralyses of the ocular muscles, 

 glaucoma. 



(3) Traumatisms, e.g., injuries from sticks and thorns, exposure to 

 suniighi, eclipse iilindness. night blindness. 



(4) Constitutional Diseases, e.g., .syphilis, malignant tumours, 

 leprosy, tuberculosis, typhoid fever. 



(5) Drugs, e.g., alcohol (most common), tobacco (rare), quinine and 

 opium (very rare). 



