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SPECIALIST SERVICES
In co-operation with the Regional Hospital Board, Eye Clinic
sessions and Orthopaedic Clinic sessions were continued at Marks
Road Clinic and the Health Centre, Harold Hill.
Cases dealt with were as follows:—
Eye Clinics
External and other diseases 8
(excluding errors of refraction and squint)
Errors of refraction (including squint) 927
Total 935
The number of children for whom spectacles were prescribed was
559.
Vision
Vision gradually develops to the full during the early years provided
the eye; are straight. Should squint be present not only is normal
function of using both eyes together (binocular vision) arrested but
there is gradual loss of vision of the squinting eye, due to a process of
suppres on of the Image. If treatment is neglected blindness in a
squinting eye can result.
Consequently the ascertainment and treatment of squint in
children is a matter of importance. It is unfortunate that some children
do not receive treatment early enough to prevent serious consequences.
No squint ever rights itself and no child is too young for treatment.
There isastrong hereditary element in the aetiology of squint and special
attention should be paid to infants of parents with a history of defective
vision or squint. Dr. Regal, Dr. Dias and Dr. Hone, Ophthalmic
Specialisis,hold between them eight sessions monthly at our clinics,and
I am indebted to Dr. T. Regal for the following report:—
During 1960 the number of sessions held at this (Marks Road)
Clinic were 47 and in these sessions 706 cases were dealt with. The
number of patients seen amounted to 435, of which 115 attended the
clinic for the first time. Thus, whilst 271 children attended twice during
that period the remaining 164 were only seen once during that year.
Taking into account that of the 115 new cases at least half the number
attended in the second half of the year and were not yet due for the
six-monthly check up which I think is the desirable period, taking
furthermore into account school leavers and children moving out of
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