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Work of the Opthalmic Clinic.
I am indebted to Mr. R. M. Chambers, the
Specialist, for the following report: —
During 1948, the work at this clinic was principally
refractive. The absence of minor operative work was due,
in part, to lack of instruments, difficulty in fitting-in
general anaesthetics, and the fact that the days on which
the clinic functioned, Thursdays and Fridays, left an
interval of six days before which patients would be seen
again, such a delay often being undesirable, especially
in the treatment of inflammatory conditions.
The provision of a Maddox Wing and Worth's Four
Light apparatus has enabled more accurate prescribing
and a satisfactory follow-up to be maintained.
A number of cases were referred to ophthalmic
hospitals for orthoptic treatment. This was sometimes
a difficult decision to make in view of the strain imposed
upon busy mothers by repeated journeys to London.
There is an urgent need for such facilities in this area.
The parents appear to have discharged a greater
sense of responsibility to such measures as occlusion and
home-exercises, though, occasionally, one still encounters
the type that regards the School Medical Service as a
deus-ex-machina, absolving them from any responsibility
in the matter themselves.
The delay in the provision of glasses after prescriptions
have been submitted is very disturbing. Such
delays introduce difficulties in prescribing the optimum
corrections, especially for myopes. It has been my
practice latterly to over-correct myopes, having due
regard to the rate of change during previous years and
to the probability of a four to six month delay in the
provision of new glasses.
A few unusual cases were seen and referred to
ophthalmic hospitals for opinion and disposal. They
included : —
1. High Myopia. Bilateral dislocated lenses—12.0 D.
through aphakic segments—aged 8 years.
2. Congenital Retinal Folds in one eye. Seen by Professor
Ida Mann and Mr. H. Ridley at Moorfields
Hospital.
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