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Work of the Ophthalmic Clinic.
I am indebted to Mr. R. M. Chambers, M.B., B.S.,
D.O.M.S., for the following report:—
During the year 2,697 examinations were made on
1,799 children from 0 to 16 years of age, an increase of
ten per cent, on the previous year's figures.
A total of 588 new cases were seen and 549 prescriptions
were dispensed (including old and new cases).
An analysis of the refractive errors in this community
which required correction showed:—
Hypermetropia 12.5% (237 cases).
Myopia 14.3% (256 cases).
Mixed Astigmatism 2.2% ( 39 cases).
Astigmatism 38.0% (213 cases) in
all corrected cases.
A survey of higher degrees of ametropia showed:—
Hypermetropia (Over 6 Dioptres) 13 cases.
Myopia (Over 5 Dioptres) ... ... 19 cases.
Astigmatism (4 Dioptres and over) 14 cases.
High astigmatic and myopic errors were twice as
common in girls as in boys, but this sex ratio was
reversed in high hypermetropia. These figures correspond
closely with those obtained by other authorities
working with larger numbers in different urban areas.
A number of circulars were printed dealing with the
broad principles of treatment of myopes and appear to
have been of some help to parents concerned.
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