THE EYES 255 



a time when children begin to occupy themselves with 

 near objects. At first it is noticeable only when the 

 eyes are examining something near at hand. Then it 

 is occasionally observed when a more distant object 

 is looked at, especially if the child, because of sickness, 

 is less equal to the strain than usual ; and finally, one 

 or both eyes remain constantly turned in toward 

 the nose. Parents often think the squint is a result 

 of some sickness such as measles, or scarlet fever, as 

 these diseases frequently occur at about the time squint 

 is developed. While such sickness may act as an excit- 

 ing agent by weakening the patient so that his eyes are 

 less able to bear the strain, the real cause is a defect 

 in focus due to improper formation of the eye. Squint 

 or cross-eye should receive attention at the earliest 

 moment possible. 



When a person has squint, it is difficult for him to 

 use both eyes at the same time, and so the eye affected 

 gradually becomes diseased, and, in time, accurate 

 vision in it may be lost. At the commencement of 

 squinting, if the child is old enough, the trouble may 

 be cured by wearing glasses that correct the defect. 

 If the oculist thinks it too late for glasses to correct 

 the trouble, he may restore the normal position of the 

 eye by the simple operation of cutting the affected 

 muscles. This can be done very quickly and with but 

 little pain. After such an operation, there is danger 

 of the squint's returning, unless glasses are worn that 

 correct the improper form of the eye. Besides bring- 



