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96
Under the heading miscellaneous (905 children) is
included cases of minor illness brought mainly to the clinic
directly by the parent. These cases tend to interfere with
and lead to abuse of, the proper functions of the clinic, by
the parents regarding the clinic in the nature of an Outpatients'
Department.
Table IV. Group II. Defective Vision Clinic (Page 119).
This table indicates the work of the Consulting
Ophthalmic Surgeon over a period of one year. It is with
regret that I have to record the death of Mr. A. M. Hickley
who gave such splendid service to the Committee, and
whose work was so greatly appreciated by the parents.
Mr. E. Lyle, his successor, is very ably continuing his
good services.
All cases discovered at routine and special inspections
are referred to the Specialist, who carries out refraction
and directs the provision of glasses. He also advises on
the treatment of special eye diseases.
During the year 398 cases attended the Vision Clinic.
Of this number there were—
234 refractions.
111 re-inspections.
262 glasses were prescribed.
In necessitous cases parents are referred to the Bromley
Children's Care Committee, who have an arrangement with
a local firm of opticians for the provision of glasses at a
specially reduced cost. Thus we are able to secure full
success in the provision of glasses.
Cases not remediable by the provision of glasses, or
cases with high myopic condition, come under special
educational facilities by arrangement made with the
London County Council.
It was found during the year that we were notable
to cope fully with the refraction and re-inspection of cases.
In the current year this has been remedied by additional
eye clinics, for it is obvious that the full benefits of our
educational facilities cannot be applied if children are
permitted to continue school attendance with short sight
defect uncorrected.