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12
Vision Defects
The number of such defects, the largest group of abnormalities found
at school medical examinations, does not differ significantly from last
year's total. The waiting list for children referred to the Authority's
Ophthalmologist remained within reasonable bounds but that at Mayday
Hospital eventually became of an unacceptable length. The position was
discussed towards the end of the year with Mr. Dermot Pierse, the
Consultant Ophthalmologist who advises the Authority, and it was decided
to make more use of ophthalmic opticians as it appeared unlikely that the
Mayday Eye Unit could reduce the waiting list to a manageable size.
Parents of children living in the Mayday catchment area will now be offered
the alternative of referral to an optician which will obviate delay. This will
have the added benefit that eye defects, other than refractive errors which
are liable to need medical treatment, will be seen at the Mayday Eye Unit
even more quickly. The change has not been in operation in the year under
review.
Defects of Ears, Nose and Throat
The incidence of otitis media (disease of the middle ear) has shown a
welcome drop in cases needing treatment, though suspected cases needing
observation have again increased. On the other hand, hearing defects are
still being found more frequently. The account of the Audiology Service
elsewhere in the Report gives more details of this aspect of the Child
Health Service.
Defects of Heart and Circulation
There is nothing significant to report.
Defects of the Lungs
The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in school children has fallen
but the figures are small and too much cannot be read into one year's cases.
Nevertheless, it is a welcome trend. The number of cases of notified tuberculosis
in children of school age was:—
Pulmonary - 3
Non-Pulmonary - 1
The school population was 53,000 (approx.) so that the incidence rate
of pulmonary tuberculosis per 100,000 was 5.7. In 1969 the rate was 9.8
per 100,000. There were no deaths.
Developmental, Abdominal and Orthopaedic Defects
There were rather more of these reported but the figures are within the
normal year to year fluctuation.