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12
Unfortunately it is not always easy to arrange for the necessary
treatment after the defect has been discovered. Children are increasingly
conscious of their appearance at this age and may resist any investigation
which is likely to result in the provision of spectacles. A considerable
amount of patient explanation may be necessary from the staff of
the School Health Service before a specialist appointment is accepted.
Every effort is made to persuade parents to accept a further examination
by a medical practitioner with special experience in the field and this
can be arranged very quickly at the Corporation's own Eye Clinics at
Purley and Sanderstead. Unfortunately the waiting time at the Mayday
Eye Clinic before an appointment was offered increased during the year,
and this has added to the difficulty of persuading parents to keep
appointments.
If a child is found at the routine examination not to be wearing the
glasses which have been prescribed, or if these appear to be unsuitable,
the parent and the head teacher are informed by letter so that appropriate
action may be taken.
Colour vision is tested routinely at the age of 11 years in all secondary
schoolboys so that preliminary warning can be given before the
child has chosen a career for which normal colour vision is an absolute
condition.

Defects of Ears, Nose and Throat
The number of children who failed the sweep test of hearing in
school again showed a slight reduction compared with the previous year.