London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Ilford 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
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The 1,837 children were found to be suffering from the following defects:—
| Diagnosis | New Cases | Old Cases | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | A | B | C | |
| Myopia | 83 | 66 | 18 | 202 | 140 | 19 |
| Myopic Astigmatism | 4 | 5 | — | 5 | 3 | — |
| Hypermetropia | 110 | 85 | 12 | 236 | 236 | 22 |
| Hypermetropic | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 7 | — |
| Astigmatism Mixed Astigmatism | 13 | 12 | 5 | 34 | 28 | 3 |
| Squint | 37 | 30 | 6 | 169 | 134 | 11 |
| Blepharitis | 1 | 2 | — | 5 | 3 | — |
| Congenital Coloboma | — | — | — | — | 3 | — |
| Congenital Cataract | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Conjunctivitis | — | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| Nystagmus | 2 | — | — | 2 | 4 | — |
| Other conditions | 3 | 5 | — | 1 | 3 | — |
| N.A.D. | 18 | 17 | — | 8 | 18 | — |
| Totals | 274 | 228 | 36 | 665 | 579 | 55 |
| A—Valentines. B.—Mayesbrook. C—Manford Way. | ||||||
969 complete pairs of spectacles were provided, some of these being
renewals after breakages. In addition, in 283 cases the lenses of spectacles
were replaced or repairs of frames were carrid out.
Mr. H. J. R. Thorne, M.B.. B.S., D.O., D.O.M.S,, the Ophthalmic
Surgeon at Valentines Ophthalmic Clinic, makes the following report:—
"Work at Valentines Ophthalmic Clinic has continued smoothly
and satisfactorily throughout the year and the cases dealt with were of
much the same types as in previous years.
The majority of children were, as in the past, seen because of
defective vision in one or both eyes, usually detected during routine
school medical examinations, and due to refractive errors. Of these
cases, a not inconsiderable number also had a squint.
In addition many cases of true or apparent squint were referred
for examination, advice and treatment.
All these cases are seen at regular intervals and kept under
observation as necessary throughout their school life.
A much smaller number of cases was seen because of:—
(i) Congenital abnormalities of the eyes and adnexae.
(ii) Acute inflammatory, infective, allergic and traumatic affections
of the eyes.
Partially sighted (or blind) children—fortunately few in number—
were seen at regular intervals, reported on (on Form B.D.8) and advice
given as to schooling and treatment.