A lesson that is very difficult for many of us to learn is that inflamed
eyes should not be used actively. Children with sore eyes should not be
allowed to go to school for two reasons. First, the use of their eyes in
reading will prevent or retard their recovery. Secondly, sore eyes are
usually communicable, and one such child may infect a whole school. It is
highly important that all persons with inflamed eyes should use only their
own wash basins, towels, and handkerchiefs, and so avoid spreading the
disease. We not infrequently see a catarrhal inflammation of the eyes run
through a whole family. Of course, they catch it one from another, and, as
there is no disease of the eye which is, like measles, or scarlet fever,
or smallpox, communicable through the air, such spread of the disease
might easily be prevented by proper care of the person first affected.
Persons whose eyes are sensitive to light should not be kept in dark
rooms, which are always unhealthy. They may have their eyes protected by
shades or by smoke colored glasses, but should keep them open and exposed
to the air, and should remain out of doors as much as possible.