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The influence of school work on eyesight is once again shown
by the higher figures for the Leaver group, and if these figures are
contrasted with those for secondary school children, it is seen that
the latter are even less favourable.
There is no doubt that school work does lead to a breakdown
of normal vision in a fairly high proportion of school children.
This may be due to breakdown of inherently weak accommodation,
or to the overtaxing of accommodation by incorrect postures when
reading and writing. The tendency of children, unless corrected,
is to sit with their eyes too close to the paper when writing or
reading
The number of children suffering from circulatory defects is
high, and is mainly caused by the ravages of rheumatism upon the
heart and its valves.
The following Table was compiled from the findings at routine
medical inspections, in order to ascertain the amount of visual defect
in the particular children examined in the various schools. It
relates only to children who were referred from routine medical
inspections for treatment or observation and who were consequently
thought to be in need of spectacles.

Z ote.— Where a dash is placed, children were examined, but no visual defects were found
The true meaning of this Table will not be apparent until the
findings for 10 years are summarised. In this time an Entrant
group will have passed through the whole school period.