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72
" At present myopic children in Ealing are dealt with in the
ordinary schools by what is called ' easy treatment' which modifies
the school curriculum slightly or by ' oral teaching only' which,
in the majority of cases, involves a complete cessation of useful
school work. The indications used in dividing the children into
these categories are exactly the same as those suggested by the
Committee. In view, however, of the extreme seriousness of the
effect on a child's education of the ' oral teaching only ' regime,
' easy treatment ' has been adopted in a number of cases where a
stricter regime would have been better from the physical point
of view. With one exception, children in Class (d), those having
a visual acuity of 6/24 or less, have been transferred to residential
schools.
" The selection of children for special treatment, the Report
states, should be carried out by the ophthalmic surgeon attached
to the local Education Authority. No special qualifications are
laid down for such surgeon. It would appear that the present
practice in Ealing of leaving decisions in the hands of the School
Oculist is in accord with the views of the Committee.
" According to the Report ophthalmic examination of children
in special schools or classes for the partially sighted should be
carried out every six months. This practice is followed at present
in Ealing with all children whose myopia exceeds 3 dioptres.
It would appear that our practice is more thorough than that
suggested by the Committee, but that may be regarded as an
advantage rather than a disadvantage.
" It is advised that the general health and hygiene of myopic
children should receive special care. Again the practice in Ealing
is in accord with the Committee's findings.
" As regards the question of the type of special education
which should be given to myopic children, the Committee, after
carefully considering the various forms of modified education
at present employed, concluded definitely that for such children
as were not sufficiently defective to require treatment in a residential
school for the partially blind the best practice was to hold a special
class in connexion with an ordinary public elementary school,
such class to be carried out as is the present practice in the ' sightsaving
classes ' held by the London County Council and other
Authorities.