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24
Vision.
The work of the Refraction Clinic continues to increase and
it has been found necessary to hold a clinic twice weekly during
the year. Dr. Roberts, the Assistant Medical Officer, remains in
charge.
413 cases were submitted for refraction, as against 297 in
the previous year.
In 344 cases spectacles were prescribed, and in 327 cases were
obtained through the Education Authority.
14 children were treated privately or at hospital, and 11 children
obtained spectacles privately.
Spectacles are provided at an all round price of 4/6 a pair,
and a definite scale of charges for repairs is issued when spectacles
are prescribed. One hundred and sixty-five pairs of glases were
sent for repair during the year.
Necessitous cases are referred to the Medical Inspection SubCommittee,
and spectacles are supplied free or at a reduced cost,
according to the circumstances. An endeavour is made to see
children each year who are provided with spectacles (and special
cases oftener), and parents are notified at the expiration of the
time, that the spectacles will probably need changing, and are
asked to send the child again to be examined.
The response is encouraging, and some of the children have
attended regularly for years, but there are many who refuse. If
the case is one of severe visual defect it is followed up furtherbut
otherwise the child is left until found again either at the
Routine Inspection or a Special Clinic, as times does not permit
more to be done.
The great improvement in this work is due in very great measure
to the fact that the Assistant Medical Officer knows most of the
parents and the personal factor is very markedly in evidence as
contributing to the great success of the Eye Clinic compared with
what it was when carried on by a visiting Ophthalmic Surgeon.
Dental Defects.
3,891 Children were treated by the School Dentist under the
Local Education Authority's Scheme and 1,302 re-treated,