A new operation for the cure of amaurosis, impaired vision, and short-sightedness : in a letter, addressed to John Richard Farre / by James J. Adams.

Date:
[1841]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A new operation for the cure of amaurosis, impaired vision, and short-sightedness : in a letter, addressed to John Richard Farre / by James J. Adams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    By the left eye, can see to read very small print at the distance of four inches from the nose, but not beyond; cannot read a moderate-sized print beyond six inches, and then only for a few minutes, without a rapid increase of dimness. Does not see the appearance of various colours by daylight, but, when candles are present, she perceives, at times, the appearance of long coloured streams of light, proceeding in a direction between her and the flame of the candle. Suffers from violent pain in the forehead, and top of the head : also, from a violent beating sensation in the temples; is very seldom quite free from these pains, which are always worse after moderate exertion of the eyes or body, and their degree generally corresponds with the degree of dimness in the sight. Treatment has been very various, she has been mercurialized three times, and on each occasion for the space of several weeks. Has been under the care of three of the most eminent surgeon occulists for the last six years, without benefit, and is gradually becoming worse. Margaret Fitch, 25.—A healthy looking woman. Position of both eyes natural. Both corneae conical, the left more so than the right; no opacity. With both eyes open, can see to guide herself about, and, at a short distance, recognise the features of any one; finds much difficidty in working at her needle beyond an hour, for the sight becomes obscured by a mist, accompanied by pain in the brows and temples, which require, for their removal, a rest of five or ten minutes; the utmost time she can work, without a very long rest, is about four hours; after the first hour, the work of the remaining three is interrupted by numerous rests, which become more frequent and of greater length towards the close of the fourth hour. Can read full-sized print at the distance of six inches, and small print at three inches. The dimness and pains are more quickly produced by reading than working.