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are held before school entry, not only to test visual acuity, but to
detect the defects which many children are known to show at entry
to school. Dr. Hilton Ho states that "we have already cut down
on the use of Atropine as a cyclopegic except in young children
(under 5 years). For children above five years of age, we are using
Homatropine and Cocaine drops followed by Eserine drops after the
examination is completed; thus, the child's near vision is affected
for 4—6 hours only."
The following table shows the work done during 1956:—
New cases
Under 7
years.
7-11
years.
Over 11
years.
Total
Boys
Girls
Boys
Girls
Boys
Girls
Boys
Girls
Hypermetropia
8
4
14
17
4
11
26
32
Hypermetropic
Astigmatism
3
6
14
22
12
14
29
42
Myopic
Astigmatism
6
1
15
13
13
22
34
36
Mixed
Astigmatism
-
1
5
6
6
3
11
10
Myopia
8
3
35
29
21
33
64
65
Other Eye Defects
18
18
25
25
16
26
59
69
Totals
43
33
108
112
72
109
223
254
Number of children for whom glasses were-
Prescribed 1,104
Obtained 966
Number of re-inspections 4,181
Total attendances 4,658
Supply of Spectacles.—The attendance at Eye Clinics of the
dispensing optician provided by the Hospital Management Committee
was of very great advantage to all concerned. There was no
compulsion to obtain spectacles through official sources and parents
were free to go to their own opticians if they preferred.
(b) Orthoptic Clinic.—The following shows the work done
at the clinic:—
Number of cases investigated 144
Number of cases treated for the first time 48
Number referred to Hospital for operation 55