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"Glasses were prescribed for 209 children and were obtained
in every instance.
"There are two points worthy of note in Table II. The first
is the relatively large number of children submitted for re-examination.
The following up of children for whom glasses have been
prescribed is perhaps as important as the original examination.
The fact that more than one third of the children seen were for
re-testing is a fair indication of the thoroughness and efficiency
with which the nurses' routine duties in school were performed.
"The second point of interest is the high proportion of myopes
among the children examined. Out of 209 children for whom
glasses were prescribed 60 (almost 30 per cent.) were myopic.
In view of this it was thought advisable to consider more closely
the question of myopia.
"Myopia.—Myopia is a condition of partial blindness which
first makes its appearance at about 6 years of age and becomes
progressively worse up to adult or middle life. Its progress is
more rapid during the period of growth—notably during the school
period—and although not directly caused by the literary part of
school work, it is greatly aggravated by it.