246 chapter 30
WARNING ON USE OF EYE MEDICINES
Only use modern medicines or ‘home cures’ that you are sure cannot damage the eyes.
One modern medicine that should not be used often, and only with great caution,
is corticosteroid eye ointment. Some doctors and health workers prescribe it for
almost any eye irritation. This is a dangerous mistake. If the irritation is caused by
a virus (tiny germ), this ointment could make the infection worse and lead to eye
damage or blindness!*
Some ‘home cures’ for eye problems are safe and effective.
For example, in Mexico when villagers get a small piece of dirt
or sand in the eye, to remove it they put a wet chia seed under
the eyelid. The smooth seed has a layer of sticky mucus on it, to
which the dirt sticks. Then they remove the seed. This is a safe,
good home cure.
Some home cures are dangerous. Some villagers try to treat
‘blurred vision’ by putting human feces (shit) around the eye.
This is unsafe and does not help. It could lead to dangerous
infection. It is also dangerous to put lemon juice, urine, pieces of
abalone shell, or Vicks ointment in the eye.
chia seeds—
a helpful home cure
*Note: Corticosteroid drops or ointment are important medicine for
preventing blindness from iritis (see “Arthritis” and “Leprosy”). But tests
with ‘fluorescein’ should be done first to be sure there is not a virus
infection. Get medical advice.
putting feces
around the eye—
a dangerous
home cure
What is the future for a blind child?
With help and encouragement from family and community, a child who is blind can
usually develop early skills as quickly and as well as other children. Helping Children
Who Are Blind (see p. 639) shows ways he can learn to feed, bathe, dress, and care
for himself, and to find his way around the home and village without help. Although he
cannot see well, he develops an outstanding ability to use his sense of hearing, touch,
and even smell. If he can see at all, he can be helped to make the best use of whatever
vision he has. He can and should go to school. Although he may not be able to read
ordinary writing, he can develop his memory.
As he grows up, he can become a farmer, or a craftsperson. And if he has the
opportunity for training, he can learn any of a wide variety of skills. Where blind
persons are given a fair chance, they often take active part in their communities
and can live full, happy lives. In many countries, blind people have been leaders in
organizing disabled persons to become more self-reliant and to work toward their
rightful place in society.
Unfortunately, blind children often are not given a chance to develop as quickly or
as fully as they could. In some countries more than half of the children who are born
blind die of hunger or neglect before they are 5 years old. On the next page are 2
stories of blind children that will help you realize the difference that understanding
and help from family and community can make.
Disabled village Children