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Ophthalmic Clinics
There are three school ophthalmic clinics held in the Borough, at which 7¼ weekly sessions are
held.
Early in the year the School Clinic at Stuart Crescent, Wood Green, was demolished in order
that a new Health Centre might be built on the site. Until the new Centre is available, the
ophthalmic clinic for Wood Green school children is being held at the Lordship Lane Medical Centre,
Tottenham.
There are two full-time orthoptists working in the school ophthalmic service in conjunction with
the consulting ophthalmologists. The orthoptists also visit the primary infants' schools for screening
of children for latent squints.
Dr. T.G. Kletz, Consulting Ophthalmologist for the Tottenham children attending Lordship Lane
Clinic, reports:-
"The work at this clinic continues to be predominantly the investigation and treatment of
refractive errors and squints (including cases of muscle imbalance) in school children. There are
three sessions weekly. Cases requiring orthoptic investigation and treatment are referred to the
orthoptist after refraction.
The ethnic survey was continued during the year. The myopia percentage was lower generally
amongst the new cases, but still shows a higher incidence in the immigrant groups.
Of new patients first attending during the year 44.34% were immigrant or of immigrant origin.
Of these, 68.6% were West Indian. Myopes formed 29% of the native population, whilst 42% of the
immigrant group were myopes. The percentage of West Indians who were myopic was 44%. Of high
myopes, only two cases occurred in the native population, and these were both from the same family,
one child of one year with right eye 5D and left eye 2D of myopia, and the second child of 4½ years,
with right eye 10D and left eye 12D of myopia. In the immigrant group (all West Indians) between
the ages of 2 and 7 years there were six cases of over 10D myopia and three others between 6 and
9D of myopia."
Mr. E.M.G. Galton, Consulting Ophthalmologist for the Wood Green children attending Lordship
Lane Clinic, reports:-
"The fact that Wood Green patients have to come to Lordship Lane during the rebuilding of
Stuart Villa Clinic has added a considerable journey for some parents, with the result that attendances
have dropped appreciably. During the year there has been a total of 1,218 children seen. There
were 135 entirely new cases of whom 36 were under 5 years of age. 55 children were prescribed
glasses for the first time. An orthoptist was appointed to the Clinic this year. It is hoped that when
the new Centre in Stuart Crescent is opened, the ophthalmic sessions will regain their former vigour."
Dr. R. Peswani, Consulting Ophthalmologist at Weston Park Clinic reports:-

We are glad to have obtained the services of an orthoptist and as a result it was possible to
investigate and treat all cases of unilateral-amblyopia and squint in the clinic, and cases were
referred to hospital only when surgery was indicated."
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