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131
REPORT OF THE OPHTHALMIC SURGEON.
To the School Medical Officer,
County Borough of East Ham,
Education Committee.
Sir,
I have the honour to present the Annual Report on the work
carried out in the Ophthalmic Clinic during" the year 1929.
During the past year 565 school children have been examined
and treated for defective vision; these were all new cases. In
addition 1,069 re-examinations were made in connection with
children who are kept under periodical examination, and in 118
of these cases the visual condition was considered satisfactorily
corrected and further supervision was unnecessary. Thirty-three
children have attended the Clinic for the treatment of eye conditions,
other than visual defect (conjunctivitis, blepharitis, foreign
bodies, cysts of the eyelids, etc.), and 5 cases of squint have been
operated upon successfully, under the Authority's arrangement
with the Royal Westminster Ophthalmic Hospital. It is very
unfortunate that such a large number of children, with minor
degrees of visual defect, cannot be given the opportunity of attending
the Ophthalmic Clinic, but the time allocated to ophthalmic
work does not permit.
Recently a visit was made to certain of the schools of the
Borough in order to ascertain the local conditions, if any, which
might have the effect of causing undue strain upon the visual function.
Arresting facts in this connection were furnished in many
directions, more especially perhaps in regard to firstly the advantage
taken of natural and artificial lighting in the schools, and
secondly in regard to the position assumed by the pupils in the
course of their studies. In many cases a very simple rearrangement
of the classes would result in a great improvement in the
lighting" effect, and one cannot over estimate the importance of
correct posture, during reading, writing, drawing, etc., in preventing
eyestrain and consequent visual defect. Here, as in many
other cases of physical defect, the application of the principles of
hygiene depends upon the interest and keenness of the school
teachers. On the other hand, certain problems of dazzle connected
with the internal lighting and colouring of the schools have been