View report page

35
case of E. W. might be quoted. At 5 E. W. had vision only
one-seventh of normal in the squinting eye, with the prospect of
losing even that. She was provided with glasses. At her next
visit she had no squint, and the sight had improved to threesevenths
of normal. The glasses were altered to suit. At her
third visit she had normal vision with glasses. There is some
irony in the fact that when two months later the parents' attention
was drawn to the fact that the child's glasses were broken, and
that it was important they should be mended, the father replied
that " the glasses were rubbish, and had never done any good."
Fortunately, the facts were too strong for him ; he was convinced,
and had the glasses mended.
The revisits of special cases, while exceedingly necessary for
efficient work, naturally absorb a large part of the time of the
School Oculist, while the number of new cases continues as before.
Therefore, in accordance with the resolution of the Education Committee,
the School Oculist now attends once a week during the
school year, instead of, as before, only 25 times.
The cases to be seen by the School Oculist are selected by
the School Medical Officer. They are either:—
(1) Cases from routine medical inspection.
(2) Special cases referred chiefly by head teachers.
(3) Transfers from outside districts.
The head teachers are exceedingly vigilant in detecting signs of
eye-strain, and a large proportion of the cases are sent up by
them. All cases with vision 6/18, or any with better vision, if
they show symptoms of any kind, are seen by the School Medical
Officer and referred to the School Oculist, if the parents are unable
to provide treatment. If examination under atropine is required,
the parents' consent is given in writing, and the ointment is
applied in school by the nurse.
After the School Oculist's prescription for glasses has been
given, the glasses are carefully tested again by the School Medical