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226
External Eye Diseases.
Squint was present in 1.2% of all children examined in the
various groups and was most frequently found in the Entrant group
(1.4% boys and 1.8% girls). Its incidence declined as age advanced.
Blepharitis occurred in 0.7% of all the children being most prevalent
in the Intermediate group (1.0% boys and 0.9% girls): Conjunctivitis
was present in 0.2% of all the children and other external
eye defects were noted in 0.3%.
The total percentages of eye defects in the various groups was
2.8 for 'Entrants; 2.7 for Intermediates and 1.5 for Leavers. Eor
1931 the corresponding figures were 2.9, 2.7 and 2.2.
Vision.
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 5.7 per cent, of the boys and 7.0
per cent, of the girls had defective vision, and in the leaver group
8.3 per cent, of the boys and 9.0 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 1931.
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. In the case of Myopes, there are substantial reasons for
believing the state of nutrition and the general health are important.
Myopia, or the tendency thereto, also seems to be to some extent
hereditary.