Vision
If you have low vision, eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery may not help. Activities like reading, shopping, cooking, writing, and watching TV may be hard to do. The leading causes of low vision and blindness in the United States are age-related eye diseases: macular degeneration, cataract and glaucoma. Other eye disorders, eye injuries, and birth defects can also cause vision loss.
Whatever the cause, lost vision cannot be restored. It can, however, be managed. A loss of vision means that you may have to reorganize your life and learn new ways of doing things. If you have some vision, visual aids such as special glasses and large print books can make life easier. There are also devices to help those with no vision, like text-reading software and braille books.
The sooner vision loss or eye disease is found and treated, the greater your chances of keeping your remaining vision. You should have regular comprehensive eye exams by an eye care professional.
NIH: National Eye Institute
Vision FDA Approved Drugs
WARNING: Consult a licensed physician in the appropriate field for medical treatment and drug prescription. Do not self medicate.
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Felter's Materia Medica on Vision
ACONITUM NEPALLUS
The dried tuberous root of Aconitum Napellus, Linné (Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceae). Mountains of Europe and Asia, and northwestern North America. Dose (maximum), 1 grain. Common Names: Aconite,... / ...emities to the body. Excessive sweating comes on, rapidly lowering the body temperature, dimness of vision, 1
The dried tuberous root of Aconitum Napellus, Linné (Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceae). Mountains of Europe and Asia, and northwestern North America. Dose (maximum), 1 grain. Common Names: Aconite,... / ...emities to the body. Excessive sweating comes on, rapidly lowering the body temperature, dimness of vision, 1
ÆSCULUS GLABRA
The bark and fruit of Aesculus glabra, Willdenow (Nat. Ord. Sapindaceae). A small fetid tree common to the central portion of the United... / ...e cerebrum is also impressed by it. Toxic symptoms include dizziness, fixation of the eye, impaired vision, vomiting, wry-neck, opisthotonos, stupor, and tympanites. In lethal doses these symptoms are... / ...Aesculus deserves further study to determine its status as a remedy for nervous disorders, and especially its control over visceral neuralgias. 1
The bark and fruit of Aesculus glabra, Willdenow (Nat. Ord. Sapindaceae). A small fetid tree common to the central portion of the United... / ...e cerebrum is also impressed by it. Toxic symptoms include dizziness, fixation of the eye, impaired vision, vomiting, wry-neck, opisthotonos, stupor, and tympanites. In lethal doses these symptoms are... / ...Aesculus deserves further study to determine its status as a remedy for nervous disorders, and especially its control over visceral neuralgias. 1
CANNABIS
...motional state of happiness even to ecstacy is experienced, with an endless procession of beautiful visions coming and going, and over which the patient indulges in merriment and even hilarity. So ple......life-time in a minute. Endless phantasms of beauty and delight pass before his distorted mental vision. A singular peculiarity is a state of double consciousness or dual personality which poss...1
...motional state of happiness even to ecstacy is experienced, with an endless procession of beautiful visions coming and going, and over which the patient indulges in merriment and even hilarity. So ple......life-time in a minute. Endless phantasms of beauty and delight pass before his distorted mental vision. A singular peculiarity is a state of double consciousness or dual personality which poss...1
DRACONTIUM (Symplocarpus).DRACO2
The rhizome, roots and seeds of Symplocarpus foetidus, Linné (Nat. Ord. Araceae). A peculiar plant found in moist grounds in the United States.... / ...erapy.In large doses dracontium will cause nausea and vomiting, dizziness, headache, and impaired vision. In small doses it is a stimulant, expectorant, and antispasmodic. It very markedly relieves ... / ...and is still a constituent of Acetous Emetic Tincture, Compound Emetic Powder, and Libradol, the magma representing the latter compound.1
The rhizome, roots and seeds of Symplocarpus foetidus, Linné (Nat. Ord. Araceae). A peculiar plant found in moist grounds in the United States.... / ...erapy.In large doses dracontium will cause nausea and vomiting, dizziness, headache, and impaired vision. In small doses it is a stimulant, expectorant, and antispasmodic. It very markedly relieves ... / ...and is still a constituent of Acetous Emetic Tincture, Compound Emetic Powder, and Libradol, the magma representing the latter compound.1
EUPHRASIAEUAE3
The plant Euphrasia officinalis, Linné (Nat. Ord. Scrophulariaceae). Europe and America. Dose, 1 to 30 grains. Common Name: Eyebright. Principal... / ...nd for superficial, not deep, eye disorders. Accumulation upon the cornea of sticky mucus befogging vision is a euphrasia indication. With such ocular disorders is usually more or less coryza, which m... / ...in hay fever, having the characteristic discharges above mentioned.1
The plant Euphrasia officinalis, Linné (Nat. Ord. Scrophulariaceae). Europe and America. Dose, 1 to 30 grains. Common Name: Eyebright. Principal... / ...nd for superficial, not deep, eye disorders. Accumulation upon the cornea of sticky mucus befogging vision is a euphrasia indication. With such ocular disorders is usually more or less coryza, which m... / ...in hay fever, having the characteristic discharges above mentioned.1
GELSEMIUM
The dried rhizome and roots of Gelsemium sempervirens (Linné,) Aiton (Nat. Ord. Loganiaceae). Dose, 1/10 to 1 grain. Common Names: Yellow... / ...ach or bowels. Toxicology.Toxic doses produce extreme muscular relaxation and prostration, double vision (sometimes blindness), widely dilated and immovable pupils, internal squint, and the eyelids ... / ...great restlessness and excitation are the classic indications for it as first formulated by Scudder, and these stand among the truest of speci1
The dried rhizome and roots of Gelsemium sempervirens (Linné,) Aiton (Nat. Ord. Loganiaceae). Dose, 1/10 to 1 grain. Common Names: Yellow... / ...ach or bowels. Toxicology.Toxic doses produce extreme muscular relaxation and prostration, double vision (sometimes blindness), widely dilated and immovable pupils, internal squint, and the eyelids ... / ...great restlessness and excitation are the classic indications for it as first formulated by Scudder, and these stand among the truest of speci1
MACROTYS (Cimicifuga racemosa)CIRAC
The rhizome and rootlets of Cimicifuga racemosa (Linné), Nuttall (Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceae). A conspicuously handsome perennial widely found in... / ...ably other parts of the nervous system not yet definitely determinedoccasioning vertigo, impaired vision, pupillary dilatation, nausea, and vomiting of a mild character, and a reduction in the rate ...1
The rhizome and rootlets of Cimicifuga racemosa (Linné), Nuttall (Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceae). A conspicuously handsome perennial widely found in... / ...ably other parts of the nervous system not yet definitely determinedoccasioning vertigo, impaired vision, pupillary dilatation, nausea, and vomiting of a mild character, and a reduction in the rate ...1
PHYSOSTIGMAPHYSO4
The dried, ripe seed of Physostigma venenosum, Balfour (Nat. Ord. Leguminosae). A climbing perennial, native of Calabar, in the Gulf of Guinea, on... / ... to a lesser degree for several days. It temporarily increases the power of accommodation for close vision, which action may be followed by spasm of accommodation. These effects often cause severe pai... / ...drug has not therefore had a fair trial. It is one of the suggested antidotes for strychnine poisoning, the alkaloid being preferred. For all of1
The dried, ripe seed of Physostigma venenosum, Balfour (Nat. Ord. Leguminosae). A climbing perennial, native of Calabar, in the Gulf of Guinea, on... / ... to a lesser degree for several days. It temporarily increases the power of accommodation for close vision, which action may be followed by spasm of accommodation. These effects often cause severe pai... / ...drug has not therefore had a fair trial. It is one of the suggested antidotes for strychnine poisoning, the alkaloid being preferred. For all of1
PHYTOLACCA
The recently dried root and fruit of Phytolacca americana, Linné (Nat. Ord. Phytolaccaceae). North America, along roadsides and fences, and in... / ...on takes place, and frequently a tingling or prickling sensation over the whole surface. Dimness of vision, diplopia, vertigo, and drowsiness are occasioned by large doses not sufficient to produce de...1
The recently dried root and fruit of Phytolacca americana, Linné (Nat. Ord. Phytolaccaceae). North America, along roadsides and fences, and in... / ...on takes place, and frequently a tingling or prickling sensation over the whole surface. Dimness of vision, diplopia, vertigo, and drowsiness are occasioned by large doses not sufficient to produce de...1
PIPER METHYSTICUM
The root of Piper methysticum, Forster (Nat. Ord. Piperaceae). South Sea Islands. Dose, 5 to 60 grains. Common Names: Kava-Kava, Ava, Ava-Pepper... / ...ttended with confused dreams. Its long-continued use by them has caused more or less obscuration of vision and a dry, cracked, scaly and ulcerated skin, and lesions closely allied to leprosy. Therapy.... / ...or testicular diseases, or pectoral neuralgia arising reflexly from nervous dyspepsia are cases for the exhibition of Piper methysticum.1
The root of Piper methysticum, Forster (Nat. Ord. Piperaceae). South Sea Islands. Dose, 5 to 60 grains. Common Names: Kava-Kava, Ava, Ava-Pepper... / ...ttended with confused dreams. Its long-continued use by them has caused more or less obscuration of vision and a dry, cracked, scaly and ulcerated skin, and lesions closely allied to leprosy. Therapy.... / ...or testicular diseases, or pectoral neuralgia arising reflexly from nervous dyspepsia are cases for the exhibition of Piper methysticum.1
SANGUINARIAALFI8
The rhizome and roots of Sanguinaria canadensis, Linné (Nat. Ord. Papaveraceae), gathered in autumn after the leaves and scape have died to the... / ...ncreased action. If the dose be large, it provokes nausea, with violent emesis, vertigo, disordered vision, and great prostration. It also increases the broncho-pulmonary, cutaneous, and menstrual sec... / ...in debilitated subjects. When due to vicarious menstruation, hemorrhage from the lungs is said to have been controlled by it. It may be used als1
The rhizome and roots of Sanguinaria canadensis, Linné (Nat. Ord. Papaveraceae), gathered in autumn after the leaves and scape have died to the... / ...ncreased action. If the dose be large, it provokes nausea, with violent emesis, vertigo, disordered vision, and great prostration. It also increases the broncho-pulmonary, cutaneous, and menstrual sec... / ...in debilitated subjects. When due to vicarious menstruation, hemorrhage from the lungs is said to have been controlled by it. It may be used als1
SCOPARIUS
The tops of Cytisus Scoparius (Linné), Link (Nat. Ord. Leguminoseae). Europe and the United States. Cultivated. Dose, 5 to 15 grains. Common... / ...es). Dose, 1 to 2 fluidounces. Action and Therapy.Excessive doses of broom have produced impaired vision, staggering gait, and profuse vomiting and purging. The effects of broom are in milder degree... / ...scoparin has not been fully determined, but is believed to be both diuretic and purgative. Some believe it to be the real diuretic in scoparius.1
The tops of Cytisus Scoparius (Linné), Link (Nat. Ord. Leguminoseae). Europe and the United States. Cultivated. Dose, 5 to 15 grains. Common... / ...es). Dose, 1 to 2 fluidounces. Action and Therapy.Excessive doses of broom have produced impaired vision, staggering gait, and profuse vomiting and purging. The effects of broom are in milder degree... / ...scoparin has not been fully determined, but is believed to be both diuretic and purgative. Some believe it to be the real diuretic in scoparius.1
SPIGELIA
The dried rhizome and roots of Spigelia marilandica, Linné (Nat. Ord. Loganiaceae). Southern United States; less plentiful in northern parts of... / ...pigelia is toxic, causing increased cardiac action, cerebral disturbances, as dizziness, dimness of vision, dilated pupils, facial and palpebral spasms, general convulsions and stupor. Purgation often... / ...Medicine Spigelia, 10-15 drops; Water, 4 fluidounces. Mix. Sig.: One teaspoonful every two hours. Large doses are said to debilitate the heart.1
The dried rhizome and roots of Spigelia marilandica, Linné (Nat. Ord. Loganiaceae). Southern United States; less plentiful in northern parts of... / ...pigelia is toxic, causing increased cardiac action, cerebral disturbances, as dizziness, dimness of vision, dilated pupils, facial and palpebral spasms, general convulsions and stupor. Purgation often... / ...Medicine Spigelia, 10-15 drops; Water, 4 fluidounces. Mix. Sig.: One teaspoonful every two hours. Large doses are said to debilitate the heart.1
STROPHANTHUSSTROP4
The dried ripe seeds of Strophanthus Kombé, Oliver, or of Strophanthus hispidus, DeCandolle, deprived of their long awns (Nat. Ord. Apocynaceae).... / ...iva has been produced by this use of strophanthin; it has no effect on intraocular pressure or upon vision - accommodation. Strophanthus is a muscle poison. When taken internally it acts primarily upo... / ...It has been reported useful in cases of mitral regurgitation with dilatation; mitral stenosis with regurgitation; regurgitation wi1
The dried ripe seeds of Strophanthus Kombé, Oliver, or of Strophanthus hispidus, DeCandolle, deprived of their long awns (Nat. Ord. Apocynaceae).... / ...iva has been produced by this use of strophanthin; it has no effect on intraocular pressure or upon vision - accommodation. Strophanthus is a muscle poison. When taken internally it acts primarily upo... / ...It has been reported useful in cases of mitral regurgitation with dilatation; mitral stenosis with regurgitation; regurgitation wi1
References
1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.