Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

ARTICLES
Year
: 1979  |  Volume : 27  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 206-

The role of eyesight in the growth of infants


Kshetra Pal 
 Dr. Mathuradas Mogawale Memorial Society, Bijnor (U.P.), India

Correspondence Address:
Kshetra Pal
Mathura Das Mogawale Memorial Society, Chandpur, Bijnor, U.P.
India




How to cite this article:
Pal K. The role of eyesight in the growth of infants.Indian J Ophthalmol 1979;27:206-206


How to cite this URL:
Pal K. The role of eyesight in the growth of infants. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 1979 [cited 2024 Mar 28 ];27:206-206
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?1979/27/4/206/32630


Full Text

Preservation of the eye sight seems to be important in the normal physical and mental growth of infants-a phenomenon observed only some six years ago, during my blind relief work.

The point will be illustrated by few case notes:

 Case Report



Case I: Some six years ago two male twin infants aged two and a half years, who were suffering from chronic diarrhea and had lost their vision after extensive corneal ulcers, were brought to me for treatment. Through devoted treatment, the restoration of some vision in one of the twins could be possible, while the other remained totally blind at that time. This blind child could not grow physically and mentally for a period of three years, while the other, who regained some light wes found to develop almost normally. After about three years the then total blind child, also got some perception of light and thereafter he began to grow though in retsrted manner. Now they are more than 8 years old. The two children come from a poor Harijan family. They have been kept on the same poor diet in the same surroundings and environment.

Case II: The second case under observation was of an infant from village Rampur who developed normally up to the age of 2 years when he lost his vision altoget�her due to ulcers of cornea following the chronic diarrhea of infants. The child could survive for three years more but mental and physical growth was found to be lagging far behind of his age group.

Case III: Another similar case worth mentioning in this connection was that of a female infant aged 3 years, who hailed from a village Tophapur, in U.P. She too lost her total sight altogethr after corneal ulcer follow�ing infantile diarrhea. In later days she retarded mentally to the extent that she lost her senses even for the call of nature, and after two years expired.

Case IV: A male infant named Sonu, 2 . 1/2 years had no vision in the eyes, though there was no congeni�tal cataract and ocular muscles were also weak to work in coordination and focus the eyes. Nutritive treatment was begun and after three months he began to respond to light feebly. The treatment was continued and eye�sight further improved and he could hold objects from the near. After one year of treatment, he began to stand up with support and now after one more year he can walk a few paces even without support. His mental development is very poor and appearance is also dull, and he behaves like an infant - of one and a half year old.

 Discussion



Physiologically pituitary body secretions are responsible for the growth. Thyroid secretions also contribute to the growth which is well known but have no direct co-relation with eyesight. Now the question arises as to how the growth was retarted or arrested in the blind infants. Is there any other gland, hormone or physiological factor responsible for the growth which is directly or indirectly correlated to the eyesight? This is to be investigated by physio�logists and ophthalmologists.