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220
Functions of Eye Clinic.—It should be noted that the
functions of an Eye Clinic include the following :—
i. Complete examination of eyes with defective
vision.
ii. Prescribing glasses, and ascertaining that they are
(a) actually procured,
(b) correctly measured,
(c) rightly fitted, and
(d) regularly worn.
iii. Treating external eye diseases.
iv. Re-examination at suitable intervals.
Prevention and Treatment of Defective Vision.—
In connection with this subject of Eye Treatment I desire
to quote from the Annual Report for 1912 of the Chief
Medical Officer of the Board of Education (p. 152), as
follows:—
" The School oculist should be in close touch with
the school teacher and cognisant of and interested in the
school curriculum and school arrangements generally.
This is of special importance in the case of the treatment
of squint.
"Nor is this all. There are, as has been previously
pointed out, further questions of importance connected
with defective vision which call for attention, such as
heredity, general health, nutrition, home conditions,
and, above all, school conditions, including the design,
arrangement, and height of the desks, the lighting of
the schoolroom, the size and character of the print of
the school books, the fatigue of the child, and
educational methods generally. Many of these matters
call for further investigation, and all of them for
further consideration by authorities attempting to