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68
Instructions to School Teachers as to Testing the
Eyesight of School Children.
Each department will be supplied with sets of test types for
testing the vision of scholars, and with cards for entering the
results of such tests thereon.
When not in use, it is of the first importance, in order that
the scholars may not be familiarised with the letters, that the
types be not exposed to view. It is desirable, where practicable,
for the same reason, in testing a scholar's vision, to keep the test
card out of view of the class. The cards should be placed in a
good light, coming from the side of the card, and so placed that
when the scholar whose vision is being tested is looking at the
card he or she shall not be facing the light itself.
After placing the card in a good light, a distance of 20 feet
(6 metres) in a straight line should be measured off and all
scholars should stand at this distance when having their vision
tested. Each eye should be examined separately, but the
scholar must not be asked to close the eye not under immediate
examination, nor be permitted to obstruct its vision by pressing
the hand or fingers over the lid. A card held close to the nose
should be used to obstruct the vision of each eye alternately. By
this means will be avoided that temporary disturbance of vision
which arises from pressure on the eyeball.
After standing the scholar at 20 feet from the test type, he or
she should be asked to read the letters in their order from above
downwards, first with the right eye and then with the left. The
letters should be read easily without facial distortion or stressful
efforts at advancement of the head. No suggestion should be
made by the teacher to help the scholar read any letter in the
recognition of which difficulty is experienced.