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OPHTHALMOLOGY
Dr. Helena Bridget Casey, M.B., B.Ch., D.O.M.S., Ophthalmologist, reports on
the work of the ophthalmic clinics:—
The school ophthalmic clinics have been running satisfactorily during the past
year. The attendances have been good, both of new and follow-up cases.
Most of the work has been the routine diagnosis and correction of defective vision.
In the older age group of ten years and over, axial myopia still provides the bulk of
visual defects. In the younger age group of five years and over, the commonly known
'lazy' eye frequently comes up as well as the high hypermetropes and the astigmatic
errors. The correction of all, of course, help the better functioning of the child.
I know that the report covers school children, but in this Borough, the fact that
children under five years can be referred for an ophthalmic examination, is an enormous
advantage. Squints should be diagnosed before the age of five years, when the child
goes to school. Also, it lessens enormously the time of the hospitals which are already
heavily laden. Many of the babies referred have had pseudo squints due to lack of
symmetry of their faces, but many have had true squints, which have needed early
treatment. Some have been corrected with spectacles and some have to be followed
up with orthoptic treatment and later by surgery, the ultimate end of which is the
working of the two eyes together and the establishment of good vision in either eye.
If surgery is required, the child is referred to the hospital of the parents' choice.
Mrs. Butterworth is coping with the orthoptic treatment excellently. Unfortunately
she still has to cope with a backlog of appointments. There has been a delay in orthoptic
appointments, but the recent establishment of an additional session will help to make
the service more efficient.
May I acknowledge the work of Mrs. Mathias and Mrs. Corteen, who man the
telebinocular so well. I also pay tribute to the nurses, who attend me at the clinics.
It helps very much to have the same nurses familiar with eye procedures attending the
eye clinics.
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