386 COORDINATION AND SENSATION 



and fitted with glasses should defects be discovered. 1 The 

 precaution, adopted by many schools, of having the eyes of 

 all children examined by a competent physician employed 

 for the purpose, is most excellent and worthy of imitation. 



Reading Glasses. Many people whose eyes are weak, 

 because slightly defective, find great relief in the use of 

 special glasses for reading and other close work. By using 

 such glasses they may postpone the time when they are 

 compelled to wear glasses constantly. It is in the close 

 work that the extra strain comes upon the eyes, and if this 

 is relieved, one can much better withstand the work of dis- 

 tant vision. The reading glasses should be fitted by a 

 competent oculist, and used only for the purpose for which 

 they are intended. 



General Precautions in the Use of the Eyes. If 

 proper care is exercised in the use of the eyes, many of 

 their common ailments and defects may be avoided. Any 

 one, whether his eyes are weak or strong, will do well to 

 observe the following precautions : 



i. Never read in light that is very intense or very dim. 



2. When the eyes hurt from reading, stop using them. 



3. Never hold a book so that the smooth page reflects 

 light into the eyes. The best way is to sit or stand so 

 that the light passes over the shoulder to the book. 



4. Never study by a lamp that is not shaded. 5. Prac- 

 tice cleanliness in the care of the eyes. Avoid rubbing 

 the eyes with the fingers unless sure the fingers are 

 clean. 



If the eyes are weak, use them less and avoid, if pos- 

 sible, reading by artificial light. Weak eyes are some- 



1 Some of the more common symptoms of eye strain are nervousness, headache, 

 insomnia, irritations of the eyelids, sensitiveness to bright light, and pain in the 

 use of the eyes. 



