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Vision.
256
The entrant group is not examined for visual acuity at routine
medical inspection. If a child is wearing corrective glasses, the
vision is tested with the glasses worn at the time of examination.
In the intermediate group 5.1 per cent, of the boys and 7.2
per cent, of the girls had defective vision, and in the leaver group
9.2 per cent, of the boys and 10.8 per cent, of the girls. The
leaver group of girls invariably gives the worst figures for vision.
.These figures are practically the same as for 1930.
There are indications of a gradual increase in the number
of cases of defective vision in school children. This may be more
apparent than real, as vision is a subject of greater importance
than in the earlier years of school medical inspection; and the
correction of small defects is obtained in more children than
formerly. Whether the cinematograph exerts any deleterious
effect on eyesight is a matter difficult of proof in the face of many
complicating factors. In the case of Myopes, however, there are
substantial reasons for believing that the state of nutrition and the
general health are important. Myopia, or the tendency thereto,
also seems to be to some extent hereditary. Undoubtedly glare
from exposed and high-powered electric lights does produce undue
eye-strain, and, if continued, damage to visual acuity.